THE government has inaugurated Angel of Life Midwifery Training Centre, the first of its kind in the country aimed at reducing infant mortality rates.

The inauguration ceremony in Dar es Salaam at the weekend was jointly organized by Tanzania-China Friendship Promotion Association and Wenzhou Medical University of China.

Yang Qingjiu, Vice Governor of China's Zhejiang Province, along with a Chinese delegation, senior officials from the Chinese Embassy in Dar es Salaam and board members of Tanzania-China Friendship Promotion Association attended the event.

Joseph Kahama, Secretary General of Tanzania-China Friendship Promotion Association, expressed gratitude to China for establishing the midwifery training centre, saying that it would contribute to lowering infant mortality rates.

"Midwives trained at the centre will be able to assist pregnant women who cannot afford costs and transport needed to reach health facilities for delivery," he said, adding that pregnant women in remote rural areas often have to travel long distances to access healthcare services.

According to the Ministry of Health, Tanzania's infant mortality rate in 2024 is projected to be 33.021 deaths per 1,000 live births, down 3.36 percent from 2023.

Dong Qixin, Chief Executive Officer and General Coordinator of Angel of Life African Midwifery Training Programme, said that Chinese doctors will provide training for midwives in Tanzania, with 20 to 30 midwives trained per session.