PRIME MINISTER Kassim Majaliwa has said that the Government has made major reforms by increasing the scope of access to services for infants.
“The government has been implementing specific strategies and interventions to ensure access to quality services for infants. It is a matter of great pride that now special services for newborns and that of Mama Kangaroo until July 2024, have been established in 245 hospitals”, he said.
Speaking to the leaders and stakeholders who participated in the 2024 charity race organized by the Development Bank (Maendeleo Bank Marathon 2024) in the grounds of Green Park, Oysterbay, in Dar es Salaam, the Prime Minister said that the success was due to the sincere commitment of the Government of President Dr. . Samia Suluhu Hassan to ensure Tanzania reduces infant mortality to reach the third goal of Sustainable Development of less than 12 deaths in every 1,000 live generations in 2030 from 24 deaths in every 1,000 live generations in 2022.
Regarding the theme of the event which is “Comfort Stage” – Season Two, the Prime Minister said that their theme is in line with the Bank’s plan to continue their work last year in the purchase of special infant baby warmers (Infant Baby Warmer) in KCMC Hospital and the construction of a new center for children with the challenge of mental retardation and dementia that is expected to be built in Bagamoyo district.
“As you have heard, at KCMC, the number of deaths of children who are born prematurely is high and is between 20 and 25 percent. These are our fellow human beings who deserve to live and we have every reason to show love by contributing measures of comfort. Therefore, I call on all citizens of good will to continue supporting the Development Bank in the implementation of these important efforts,” he emphasized.
He has congratulated the leaders of the bank, for increasing the donation target for this year’s race from sh. 120 million to sh. 200 million to complete the work they started last year
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Regarding the contribution of religious sects, the Prime Minister has said that the Government recognizes and appreciates the great contribution of private sector stakeholders in providing community services if they exist, related to the health sector, education, water and others.
“I congratulate the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania for providing a larger area for the construction of a new center for children with mental disabilities and autism. I have been told that the center will be built in Kitopeni, Bagamoyo District to meet the current needs of the community”, he said
He congratulated the leaders of the Development Bank for successfully increasing the status of the operating license from being a Community Bank and being promoted to the status of a Fully-fledged Commercial Bank as this step allows them to open branches all over the country.
“I also congratulate you for your creativity by introducing various services such as renewable energy loans, land formalization loans, bajaji and bodaboda loans for young people and business loans for Machinga (Enable Machinga). I have been told that in cooperation with the leadership of Wamchinga, you have designed a project called MACHINGA HOUSE- SAMIA CITY which includes more than 500 plots and more than 90 acres in Magoza Village located in Bagamoyo where more than 500 Machinga will benefit from the loans in the first phase”, he said.
For his part, the Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Godwin Mollel said the Government has continued to support the KCMC hospital by providing funds for medicines and medical equipment.
In his visit, President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan went to inaugurate the cancer building and directed five billion shillings to be sent to the hospital. So far, three billion shillings have been disbursed, one billion shillings will be sent within the next two weeks and the remaining one billion shillings will be sent before January, 2025. Also, two new ambulances will be delivered before October, this year.
Earlier, the Acting Executive Director of Maendeleo Bank, CPA Peter Tarimo, said their motivation to return to help the Mtoni Diakonia center was due to the great need that currently exists where there are currently 107 children from all over Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar who are being taught at the center.
Another 86 children are reached in their homes through the home education program and another 80 have missed the opportunity to join due to the lack of infrastructure including classrooms and dormitories.
