Safe Motherhood in Rukwa Region “Uzazi Salama Rukwa”

This project addresses the main causes of maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity through a two-pronged approach. On the demand-side, it is increasing utilization of sexual and reproductive, health, and rights SRHR services by women, adolescent girls, newborns and their families and on the supply side, it is improving the availability of quality SRHR services. The project is also working to improve utilization of, and access to, SRHR services for women of reproductive age and adolescent girls that are both gender responsive and adolescent friendly, and that support women and adolescent girls to have greater decision making power to seek SRHR services independently through gender transformative strategies. The project works closely with regional and national level governments to ensure sustainable delivery of high quality, gender sensitive health services. Project activities include: (1) training healthcare staff on high-impact maternal and newborn health interventions such as basic emergency obstetric and newborn care (BEmONC), comprehensive emergency obstetric and newborn care (CEmONC), Helping Babies Breathe program, Kangaroo Mother Care, post-partum care and family planning; (2) equipping select facilities and hospitals with BEmONC and CEmONC equipment, Helping Babies Breathe and Kangaroo Mother Care supplies, reproductive health commodities and gender sensitive/adolescent friendly information, education and communication materials; (3) training community health workers and supporting outreach on gender equality, reproductive health services including family planning, and adolescent friendly maternal and newborn health; (4) conduct Village Health Days to provide maternal and newborn health services, including vitamin A, deworming and immunization for children under five; (5) develop new village savings and loans associations for adolescents and support existing ones for adults and community health workers to improve the financial independence of women and girls and promote the allocation of emergency funds. The project is implemented in collaboration with Jhpiego, Africare and White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood Tanzania.