Malaria Control & Elimination

Recognizing and Evaluating Policy Initiatives for Reducing Maternal and Child Health Inequalities in Lower Income Countries: A Review of Tanzania’s Position

Abstract

Godfrey M Mubyazi, Adiel K Mushi, Michael A Munga, Julius J Massaga, Emmanuel A Makundi, Angela Shija, Stella P Kilima Prince-Pius W Mutalemwa and Mwele N Malecela

Inequalities in maternal and child health (MCH) are still critical in Tanzania where the government strives for attaining the millennium development goals (MDGs). With the hope for succeeding, she continues formulating or modifying and implementing her own policies while adopting and implementing policy initiatives recommended globally and establishing mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating programs. Several initiatives have demonstrated gains in reducing maternal and child morbidities and mortalities, increased health budgets, training and recruitment of health workforce, health buildings, procurement and supply of essential medicines, equipment, and other materials, fostering private-public-partnership, enrolling girls in schools, safe motherhood among other reproductive health issues, devolution of decision making powers to lower governance structures, coupled with launching short-term and long term programs for tackling MCH problems. However, evidence is still scanty on country’s successes in reducing MCH inequalities. With reference to literature, we synthesize evidence and arguments on whether Tanzania is on track toward attainment of MDG 4 and 5 and give suggestions for policy.