IN a boost to the health sector, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in collaboration with UNICEF, yesterday handed over to the government the fourth state-of-the-art Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (CEmONC) facility in Dodoma City.

 The Ilazo health centre project was funded by the KOICA-UNICEF partnership as part of the Project, ‘Improved Maternal and Neonatal Health Care Through Strengthening the Blood Transfusion System and CEmONC’ at  total cost of $ 3million.

The amount was for construction, procurement of medical equipment, and training of healthcare providers and aims to strengthen health systems and ensure timely and high-quality care for women and newborns in Dodoma city council and surrounding areas.

The Ilazo and other three  health facilities are equipped with state-of-the-art amenities, including an outpatient department, labor ward, 14-bed maternity wards, antenatal and postnatal care units, a modern neonatal ICU with a capacity of 17 units, a modern laboratory, operating theatre, laundry, mortuary, among others to ensure that every woman and child receives the critical care they need.

Speaking  while officiating the handover ceremony, Dodoma Regional Commissioner, Rosemary Senyemule thanked both KOICA and UNICEF for the support, stating that it is in line with President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s vision to improve provision of health services, especially maternal and child care in the country.

She  noted that the  project highlights the collaborative efforts of the government, development partners, and local communities to address critical healthcare challenges and ensure access to lifesaving services.

“We highly appreciate your efforts in helping the government in different ways, more so in improving provision of health services in the country’, she said, adding that the  facilities will help save lives of Tanzanians.

 Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Tanzania, Eunju Ahna, who also attended the event, applauded the government for efforts to improve healthcare and reduce maternal and child deaths.

She expressed her country’s commitment to continue working with the government in various areas, especially health sector. “Korea remain committed to collaborating with the government of Tanzania to realize the 2050 goals” he said.

Despite notable progress made by the Government over the years in maternal and neonatal health, Tanzania continues to face challenges, including a maternal mortality ratio of 104 deaths per 100,000 live births and a neonatal mortality rate of 24 deaths per 1,000 live births.

This  accounted to nearly half of all under-five deaths in the country as indicated in the 2022 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey (TDHS). Limited access to skilled birth attendants and emergency care contributes significantly to these statistics. The CEmONC facility at Ilazo Health Centre is expected to address these gaps, serving an estimated 100,000 people annually.

 KOICA Tanzania  Country Director, Mankish Shin, on his part noted that through the collaboration, they  are enhancing healthcare infrastructure and ensuring that healthcare providers have the tools and training needed to deliver quality care.

“This is a true testament to the power of partnerships in achieving health equity,"  said Shin.

UNICEF Representative to Tanzania, Elke Wish, said the  organization has been privileged to be a longstanding Primary Health Care partner in Tanzania in joint efforts to improving the health and well-being of children and their families, and to realizing the right to health for every woman and every child in Tanzania.

“I would like to congratulate the government of Tanzania for efforts to improve access to quality health care, particularly your focus on primary health care, which is a fundamental step towards achieving Universal Health Coverage” she said.

The director also thanked the government for its dedication to transforming healthcare delivery, with a special focus on maternal and neonatal care.

The UNICEF boss expressed gratitude to the KOICA and Government of the Republic of Korea for their generous support which have made this possible.

In addition to the Ilazo Health Centre, KOICA and UNICEF have facilitated the establishment of modern CEmONC facilities at three other health centers in the region: Haneti, Soya, and Chipanga, in Chamwino, Chemba and Bahi districts respectively, which were inaugurated earlier this year.

 The total costs for all four CEMoNC facilities including the Ilazo facility that was inaugurated today amounting to USD 8.1 million out of which KOICA contributed 6.1m USD and UNICEF $2 million respectively. Furthermore, the project supported the construction of a central zone blood transfusion services center in Itega, Dodoma City, which is now fully operational.