Source: Tanzania Daily News
Health workers in Tanzania have been advised to provide quality services to pregnant mothers in a bid to reduce maternal deaths, caused by some mothers seeking services of traditional healers.
This was said by the Geita District Commissioner, Philemon Shelutete, when closing a seminar for councillors and village executives on maternal and child healthcare, conducted by Mwanza-based Tandabui Health Access Tanzania (THAT) Afya Radio. It is part of a broader campaign launched recently by the NGO, which aims at improving quality of health services offered to pregnant women, thus reduce maternal deaths in the country.
Implemented in three districts, Geita, Ilemela, and Nyamagana, the campaign involves collection of views from regional, district and local leaders, the public and other stakeholders on the best ways of improving quality of service delivery to pregnant mothers.The district commissioner said improved health services would curb the growing tendency of pregnant mothers seeking services offered by traditional healers.
"Such services put the mothers at great risks, hence increasing deaths of pregnant mothers in the country," said the DC.Mr Shelutete said provision of quality health services to pregnant mothers by health workers could be key pillar in reducing maternal deaths in Geita district and the nation as whole.
However, he said that the public should understand that advising pregnant mothers to look for services of traditional doctors instead of going to health centres and facilities, put lives of both mothers and infants in danger."This is very dangerous, we have to insist that they go to clinics and health centres, which have specialized and qualified experts, rather than telling them to seek services of traditional healers, where services are not safe," noted the DC.