Tanzania Maternal Health Initiative
About
Goals & Objectives
In collaboration with PANETA (Peri-Urban Ambulatory Nexus Tanzania), this initiative follows a "train the trainer" model to equip local medical professionals with critical maternal health skills. Key objectives include:
- Train-the-Trainer Program: Working with PANETA to implement the Helping Mothers and Babies Survive program, ensuring that HCPs receive training on life-saving techniques.
- Non-Pneumatic Anti-Shock Garment (NASG) Training: Providing NASG devices and training for their use. Recommended by the World Health Organization, NASGs are vital for managing postpartum hemorrhage—the leading cause of maternal mortality.
- Community Impact: Extending this training to Traditional Birth Attendants and other healthcare providers throughout Siha District to improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes.
Through these efforts, the project fosters long-term improvements in maternal health care, equipping local professionals with the skills and resources needed to save lives.
Why Maternal Health in Tanzania?
Maternal health remains a critical challenge in Tanzania, particularly in rural and remote areas where access to skilled care during pregnancy and childbirth is limited. Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) play a crucial role in these communities, assisting with the majority of births. However, they often lack formal training and essential resources, increasing the risk of complications for both mothers and newborns.
By addressing these challenges through education and training, this initiative aims to bridge the gap in maternal health care and save lives in Tanzania’s most vulnerable communities.
The Challenges
- Limited Access to Skilled Care: Many women give birth at home or in under-resourced facilities due to the scarcity of trained healthcare professionals in rural regions.
- High Maternal Mortality Rates: Postpartum hemorrhage is a leading cause of maternal death, and the lack of emergency medical interventions significantly increases the risk.
- Undertrained Traditional Birth Attendants: Despite attending most births in remote areas, TBAs receive little to no formal training, leaving them unequipped to handle complications.
Key Insights
- Tanzania has one of the highest maternal mortality rates, with approximately 524 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births (WHO, 2023).
- Only 63% of births in Tanzania are attended by a skilled health provider, leaving a significant gap in quality maternal care (UNICEF).
- Training programs for TBAs and healthcare workers have been shown to significantly reduce birth-related complications and improve maternal and neonatal survival rates.
Our Partnership
This initiative is a collaboration between Tanzanian and Canadian medical teams, each playing a vital role in improving maternal health outcomes in Siha District.
Together, these teams ensure that life-saving knowledge and resources are effectively implemented and sustained within the local healthcare system.
Tanzanian Partner: PANETA
The PANETA team was responsible for:
- Conducting a needs assessment for the Vocational Training Team (VTT).
- Coordinating outreach, transportation, and accommodations for Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) and Health Care Providers (HCPs).
- Organizing the training location, logistics, and support services.
- Leading training sessions after receiving instruction from the Canadian team.
- Ensuring ongoing education, monitoring the use of Non-Pneumatic Anti-Shock Garments (NASGs), and maintaining donated medical equipment like the ultrasound machine (2023).
Canadian Partner
The Canadian team contributes by:
- Bringing extensive experience in maternal and newborn healthcare and emergency life-saving skills.
- Providing hands-on training using advanced simulation tools.
- Delivering Helping Mothers and Babies Survive, a globally recognized program proven to reduce infant and maternal mortality.
- Training PANETA members, co-teaching sessions with them, and teaching NASG techniques.
- Managing finances, reporting, scheduling, and evaluating training outcomes.
- Assisting with inventory and setting up training facilities.
The Maternal Newborn Tanzania VTT 2024 successfully trained 147 individuals, including 50 Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs), 84 Health Care Providers (HCPs), and 9 PANETA and VTT members. Training was conducted using the Helping Mothers and Babies Survive (HMBS) program and NASG training led by Dr. Robert Tillya. The HMBS program, recognized by the World Health Organization, emphasizes hands-on learning, frequent practice, and team-based care to reduce maternal and newborn mortality.
The training was delivered in three key groups:
- Returning TBAs (22 from 2023): Received new training on eclampsia (the second leading cause of maternal death), bleeding after birth, and essential newborn care. They also reviewed NASG use. A PANETA team member created a song to help TBAs and HCPs remember danger signs.
- New TBAs (28 participants): Learned about postpartum hemorrhage (the leading cause of maternal death), essential newborn care, and the proper use of NASGs.
- Siha Health Care Providers (84 participants): Originally planned for 72, this group expanded to include additional medical staff from a large referral center and district maternal health management. The training focused on managing postpartum hemorrhage, shock, and life-saving interventions such as aortic compression, bimanual compression, balloon tamponade, and NASG application.
Additionally, Dr. Tillya trained the 9 VTT team members on best practices for NASG use, including safe application, removal, cleaning, and storage. NASGs, recommended by the WHO, are essential in reducing maternal deaths due to obstetric hemorrhage. The training left the team highly confident in their ability to teach NASG use effectively.
Following the 2023 VTT, the Deputy Minister of Health for Tanzania requested that a pilot project be launched to introduce NASGs in the Siha region. This initiative has the potential to create long-term improvements in maternal healthcare by equipping local providers with life-saving skills and resources, ultimately reducing preventable maternal deaths.
Long-Term Impact
- Strengthened maternal healthcare through ongoing education for TBAs and HCPs.
- Increased awareness and early recognition of life-threatening complications.
- Integration of NASGs into medical facilities to improve maternal survival rates.
- Sustainable training models that empower local healthcare workers to continue education and mentorship within their communities.
Canadian & Tanzanian Team
The Canadian team provides extensive experience in maternal and newborn healthcare, specializing in emergency life-saving skills. Training sessions included hands-on practice using advanced simulation dolls to ensure realistic learning experiences.
PANETA Team:
A dedicated group of five doctors and one healthcare professional from different regions of Tanzania, united by a common goal: reducing maternal mortality through education, training, and improved healthcare practices.
The project took place from October 26th to November 9th, 2024.
The team is now focused on follow-up visits to hospitals and rural areas where Traditional Birth Attendants live.
PANETA team members in Tanzania are conducting these visits to ensure the proper application of the training, particularly the use of NASG.
In 2025 we hope to.......
HOW YOU CAN HELP
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