President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan has unveiled the latest Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey and Malaria Indicator Survey (2022 TDHS-MIS), revealing an impressive 80% reduction in maternal mortality rates. This achievement brings Tanzania closer to attaining the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number three of ensuring healthy lives and well-being for all.
Speaking at the launch event in Dar es Salaam, President Samia emphasized the tremendous strides made in the country’s health sector. She highlighted that maternal mortality rates have dropped from 530 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2015/2016 to 104 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2022, an incredibly significant improvement.
The SDGs aim to limit maternal mortality rates in all countries to less than 70 deaths per 100,000 births by 2030. Tanzania’s achievement of 104 deaths per 100,000 births is a promising indication of the nation’s ability to reach this target.
President Samia also noted a decrease in teenage pregnancies, with the rate dropping from 27% to 22% during the same period. She highlighted the regions that performed well in this area, including Dodoma, Kigoma, Tabora, and Shinyanga. Additionally, she identified Songwe, Ruvuma, Katavi, Mara, and Rukwa as the leading regions in reducing teenage pregnancies.
However, the President expressed concern over the increase in teenage pregnancy rates in regions such as Dar es Salaam, Njombe, and Ruvuma. She urged regional authorities to investigate the underlying causes of this increase and take appropriate measures to address the issue.
President Samia urged parents and guardians to prioritize their daughters’ education to protect them from the risks of teenage pregnancies. She emphasized the government’s commitment to improving the learning environment, including the construction of dormitories in schools. The President emphasized the importance of allowing girls to enjoy their youth and benefit from the government’s investments in education, rather than rushing them into adult responsibilities.
The launch of the 2022 TDHS-MIS also highlighted an encouraging increase in the number of pregnant women giving birth in health centers, rising from 63% to 81% over the same period. President Samia attributed this increase to the government’s efforts to bring health services closer to the people and the successful implementation of the ‘Jiongeze Tuwavushe Salama’ campaign.
Furthermore, the report revealed a decline in stunting rates among children under the age of five, decreasing from 34% to 30%. The regions of Tanga and Dar es Salaam stood out for their significant reduction in severe stunting, with Tanga witnessing a drop from 14.8% to 5.5% and Dar es Salaam from 3.8% to 0.9%. President Samia commended these regions for their progress while emphasizing the need for continued efforts to tackle stunting.
However, the President expressed concern over regions with the highest stunting rates, including Iringa, Njombe, Rukwa, and Geita. She urged authorities to prioritize addressing stunting by focusing on proper nutrition and investing in the first 1000 days of a child’s life.
While under-five mortality rates showed a slight decrease from 67 deaths per 1000 live births to 43 deaths, President Samia acknowledged that more work is needed to reach the SDG target of 12 deaths per 1000 live births by 2030. She expressed confidence in the government’s ability to continue making progress in reducing neonatal mortality rates.
In addition to unveiling the survey findings, President Samia handed over 216 out of 989 ambulances to enhance access to emergency healthcare services across the country. This initiative is part of the government’s commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure, supported by contributions from both taxes and development partners.
The launch of the 2022 TDHS-MIS and the government’s efforts to improve health outcomes demonstrate Tanzania’s commitment to its citizens’ well-being. With continued dedication and collective action, Tanzania is poised to achieve even greater strides in improving healthcare for all.
