PROGRESS towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 is being registered with hopes to reduce maternal deaths to below 70 per 100,000 live births.

President Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi sounded this note of optimism at the State House over the weekend in a thanksgiving and fund raising event for a maternal and child health campaign organized by Amref (T), the Health ministry and Absa Bank (T) sponsorship. 

The bank contributed 150m/- towards the ‘motherhood is life’ campaign, aimed at improving maternal and child health during pregnancy and childbirth, seeking to cut neonatal deaths to 12 per 1,000 live births, and deaths of under-five children to 25 per 1,000 live births by 2030.

Close aides in the sector were present to share that optimism, including Health minister Nassor Ahmed Mazrui, deputy minister Hassan Khamis Hafidh, permanent secretary Dr. Mngereza Mzee Miraji, as well as top officials of several local and international agencies.

"Today, we’ve gathered here to support efforts to save lives through this campaign, which was launched in 2020 with the goal of raising 1bn/-," he said.

So far the collaborating agencies have provided medical supplies valued at 262.6m/- to 28 health centers, he said, expressing gratitude to Amref (T) as the main sponsor Absa Bank (T) and other stakeholders for supporting government efforts to improve health services.

Dr Florence Temu, the Amref (T) Country director, was appreciative of the president’s commitment and support for the campaign, since its being launched in 2020.

He applauded Absa Bank (T) as the main sponsor, along with other donors working from the beginning to help achieve the goals of the campaign. 

“Of our target to raise 1bn/- we have so far received pledges reaching 989.8m/-,” she said, noting that this is upwards of 98.9 per cent of the target, with 740.4m/- received, equivalent to 75o per cent.

Obedi Laiser, the bank’s managing director, stated that the bank's support is aligned with government efforts in investing in the health sector, particularly in reducing maternal and child mortality.

The support relates to the financial institution's goal of 'empowering Africa and Tanzania for tomorrow together, one story at a time,' he said.

This ensures that communities receive appropriate health services, as the campaign complements the bank’s recently launched brand promise 'your story matters,'” he added.