TANZANIA – Amref Health Africa in Tanzania has teamed up with the National Bank of Commerce (NBC) and the Ministry of Health of Zanzibar to conduct the ‘Uzazi ni Maisha Wogging Marathon’ at the Sheikh Amani Stadium in Zanzibar.
The Uzazi ni Maisha Campaign under the theme “Support Medical Equipment and Supplies for Safe Delivery” focused on creating awareness of the existing gaps within the health sector as well as raising funds to support government initiatives in the provision of medical equipment and supplies for safe delivery in Zanzibar.
According to Amref Health Africa, the Wogging event (Walk-Jog-Run) was geared towards engaging the public, corporate, private sectors, individuals and other actors to donate and support the provision of medical equipment and supplies for safe delivery in the Isles.
The Wogging Campaign aims to collect over one billion Tanzania shillings including both in-kind, cash and pledges to support medical equipment for safe delivery hence the campaign will remain open for a period of three years.
His Excellency, the President of Zanzibar and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council, Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi was the guest of honor at the Wogging event (Walk-Jog-Run).
Amref Health Africa Tanzania will also hold subsequent maternal and child health campaigns annually both in Tanzania mainland and Zanzibar with an aim to achieve a massive milestone within three years of holding the Uzazi ni Maisha Campaign consistently.
The maternal health project launched in Zanzibar seeks to address challenges to mother and child health service provision within the country’s institutions which lead to recorded high mortality rates resulting from inadequate medical equipment, supplies and personnel.
With the Uzazi ni Maisha Campaign, a total of 28 health centers will directly benefit from the campaign and have the medical equipment delivered which is equal to 40.5% of all centers that provide mother and child care here in the villages of Zanzibar.
The event saw the attendance of more than 4,000 participants including top corporate officials, diplomats, development partners, government officials, the media and individuals from the public who pledged and committed to supporting the maternal health initiative through a variety of donations.
His Excellency President of Zanzibar Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi acknowledged Amref’s efforts to start the unique initiative while encouraging engagement from various actors to ensure they play their part in the provision of medical equipment and supplies for safe delivery in Zanzibar.
Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi said the immense contribution is very critical and the support received will be directed toward saving the lives of mothers and newborns hence reducing preventable maternal deaths in the country.
In addition, Dr. Mwinyi applauded NBC Bank for its readiness to partner with Amref Tanzania and support the significant initiative that complements the work of the government to reduce maternal and child mortality rates in Zanzibar.
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