The Medical Device Distribution (MSD) has begun distributing medical equipment purchased by the government worth over Sh14.9 billion to the regions for hospitals, health centers and dispensaries with the aim of reducing maternal and child mortality.

The Manager of MSD, Dar es Salaam Zone, which serves the regions of Dar es Salaam, Coast, Morogoro and Zanzibar Islands, Betia Kaema said this during the handover of the equipment by the Morogoro Regional Commissioner, Adam Malima for the 11 regions of the Region.

Kaema said, Morogoro Region has been provided with nine types of medical equipment worth 759 million shillings and has started distributing them in all 11 states and each state will receive equipment worth 69 million shillings.

“As we know, our Government led by President Mama Samia Suluhu Hassan, has purchased equipment to reduce maternal and child mortality worth 14.9 billion shillings and the equipment was launched by our Minister of Health for all states in Tanzania” said Kaema.

Kaema mentioned the equipment handed over to each state in the Region and its number in brackets is Drip stand (330), standard beds for patients (330), delivery beds for pregnant women (220) and delivery sets (220) for pregnant women.

He mentioned others as sheets (1,320), mattresses (330), Examination table (220), small tables for patients to place their equipment when they are hospitalized (165) and Bed side Locker (330).

Kaema said that all of these are government efforts to completely eliminate or reduce maternal and child deaths during childbirth.

“Currently, the government has prioritized strengthening and enabling all regional hospitals that have been designated in various states to have these equipment in order to completely eliminate maternal and child deaths during childbirth,” said Kaema.

For his part, the Morogoro Regional Commissioner, Adam Malima, said the government has made significant investments in the health sector infrastructure and is currently focused on improving the standards of health care delivery in the country.

“Our goals as a region after receiving these medical equipment are to improve the delivery of health services to the citizens and this we have been encouraging at all times,” Malima.

The regional commissioner said that despite receiving the medical equipment, the region's strategy is to continue providing education on childbirth and various diseases and how to use the equipment for patients.

Recently, the Minister of Health, Ummy Mwalimu launched the distribution of equipment to improve reproductive, maternal and child health services worth more than 14.9 billion shillings which will be distributed to 214 states and councils across the country.

Ummy said the distribution of the equipment is aimed at improving reproductive, maternal and child health services and strengthening safe childbirth in the country.