In a boost to the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar’s efforts to reduce maternal, newborn, child deaths and improving health facilities in general, UNFPA Representative, Dr. Julitta Onabanjo yesterday handed over contraceptives, IT equipment, learning and teaching materials to the Zanzibar Ministry of Health.
The contraceptive supplies and health equipment, which are worth USD 170,000, will improve the sexual reproductive health of Zanzibar people especially women, in addition it will also improve efficiency and effectiveness of the services provided by the college of health sciences.
In Zanzibar, many pregnant women die due to unavoidable causes like bleeding, hypertension and infection while there are affordable interventions that can save the life of these pregnant women. One of the interventions is ensuring affordable and free access to family planning commodities. Reproductive health supplies such as the contraceptives donated on Thursday are not only ensuring that reproductive health rights are observed and individuals and couples can decide freely when and how many children they want to have, but also save lives and reduces maternal and child mortality.
“UNFPA is committed to ensuring that reproductive health supplies are available for all, especially the poor and vulnerable. And in the context of UN Delivering as One, we are committed to supporting the Government in strengthening health systems,” says Dr. Onabanjo.
The contraceptives handed over today include; Implanon, Microgynon, condoms and Microlut pills. Moreover, the medical equipment (see list below) handed over to the College of Health Sciences has come at opportune moment and will help the college to improve skills and deliver quality training for the students.
UNFPA Representative acknowledged the Zanzibar government for their support extended to the organization, UN system and other development partners working in Zanzibar. Dr. Onabanjo also congratulated the government for its leadership and efforts to address reproductive health related issues, emphasizing the development of an employment and incentive schemes for health staff to improve service deployment.
During her visit to Zanzibar, Dr. Onabanjo used the opportunity to pay a courtesy call to Hon. Zainab Omar, Minister of Social Welfare, Women and Children Development, Hon. Juma Duni, Minister of Health, Hon. Fatma Ferej Tamim, Minister in the First Vice President Office and Hon. Omar Yussuf Mzee, Minister of Finance, Economy and Development Planning in the President’s Office. The UNFPA Representative will today visit One Stop Centre; a centre for Gender Based Violence victims and the Reproductive and Child Health Clinic at Mnazi Mmoja hospital to get a first hand experience of the day to day activities.
