National context

The number of deaths among mothers and newborn babies has remained at an unacceptably high level in Tanzania. Out of every 100,000 live births, 578 women die in labor or in complications related to childbirth (Tanzania Demographic Health Survey, 2004).

While the annual infant mortality rate has come down from 99 deaths per 1000 live births reported in 1999 to a figure of 68 deaths in recent years, the mortality rate among children under the age of five has also been reduced to 112 deaths from 140 per live births in the 1990’s. The mortality rate among newborn babies remains high at 32 deaths per 1000 live births. This means that 44,900 deaths of newborn babies are recorded annually, comprising approximately 47% of all infant deaths in Tanzania (Tanzania Demographic Health Survey, 1999, 2004/05). 

Key factors contributing to the high level of maternal and newborn deaths in Tanzania include:
     •    limited access to reproductive health care
     •    insufficient number of skilled health workers
     •    poor quality of health-care services
     •    limited community involvement and participation and
     •    women’s lack of empowerment.

Delays in actions critical to ensuring maternal and newborn health have also been noted and need to be addressed: the delay in the household decision for seeking care, delay in reaching the health facility, and delay in receiving appropriate care at the facility.

No single intervention can address all factors contributing to maternal and newborn deaths, but synergy among stakeholders can make a significant contribution. Therefore the UN is working together under the Joint Programme on Reduction of Maternal and Newborn Mortality with national partners. This Joint Programme forms the UN’s contribution to the national Road Map for Maternal and Newborn Death Reduction.

Objectives and outcomes

Working together within and beyond the health sector, the UN and partners aim to achieve the following outcomes:
     •    Increased and equitable access to, and utilization of, quality reproductive and child health services, e.g. family planning, delivery services, post-abortion, youth friendly services
     •    Improved health systems for delivery of maternal and newborn care with a special focus on Dodoma region
     •    Improved policies and practices to promote maternal and newborn health
     •    Improved information management for maternal, newborn and child health
     •    Increased budget allocation and resource mobilization.

Empowering women, men, health-service providers and policymakers to make informed decisions is at the heart of reducing maternal and newborn deaths.