DEVELOPMENT partners have urged for greater focus on reproductive health, adolescents, children and strategies to combat malnutrition, calling for the issues to be key pillars in the draft of the National Development Vision 2050.

Speaking at the partnership event for development stakeholders in Dar es Salaam at the weekend, Deputy United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Country Representative Melissa McNeil-Barrett highlighted the pivotal role of health in achieving sustainable and inclusive development.

She explained that population dynamics are closely linked to investments in youth health and education, which are crucial for fostering social and national development.

“It is vital to ensure that women have the opportunity to effectively plan their families, which helps reduce fertility rates and increases the chances of the next generation reaching their full potential,” she said.

McNeil-Barrett also emphasised that investment in reproductive health and prevention of non-communicable diseases is essential for improving quality of life and ensuring the welfare of society at large.

She pointed out that 20 percent of maternal deaths occur among adolescents, stressing the need for urgent and decisive action to address and eliminate this issue.

Furthermore, she called for a particular focus on ensuring access to health information and services for adolescents, stating that this is crucial in preventing challenges such as unintended pregnancies and other reproductive health issues.

McNeil-Barrett also commended the government for its efforts in preparing the draft vision, noting that it provides a strong foundation for addressing the social and economic challenges facing the nation, while urging further improvements in areas related to reproductive health, children, and adolescents.

Ronald Tran Ba Huy, World Food Programme (WFP) Country Director underscored the importance of the agriculture sector, social protection and strategies to reduce malnutrition as key areas for strengthening in the National Development Vision 2050.

He explained that the agriculture sector plays a significant role in youth employment and regional economic growth.

“Tanzania is already a food basket for this region, but it has the potential to be an even greater one. WFP purchases many local products for its regional operations here; so, there is significant opportunity to expand this sector,” Tran Ba Huy said.

He also stressed the need to incorporate disaster preparedness projects into development policies.

“We are not only talking about large-scale infrastructure but also social projects and preparedness for the challenges posed by climate change,” he said.

Tran Ba Huy further highlighted the importance of strengthening social protection systems to effectively respond to emergencies, explaining that the systems should be equipped to address sudden challenges as part of broader development strategies.

One of the major challenges he identified is the high levels of malnutrition among children, noting that the issue hinders children from reaching their full potential.

“We are eager to collaborate with you to ensure that the issue of reducing malnutrition is prioritised in this vision,” he said.