This article from 2009 outlines the state of maternal health care in Tanzania. (H/T Katie) Many of the concerns here are central to why we believe university ministry is so important in Tanzania.
Here’s a summary:
Pregnancy and childbirth kill more than 536,000 women a year, more than half of them in Africa, according to the World Health Organization. Most of the deaths are preventable, with basic obstetrical care…
Although it is politically stable, [Tanzania] is also one of the world’s poorest countries, suffering from almost every problem that contributes to high maternal death rates — shortages of doctors, nurses, drugs, equipment, roads and transportation…
Only 20 percent of women in the area give birth at the hospital, and many do so only when they need Caesareans. Many women say they simply cannot afford the hospital. More than 50 percent stay home to give birth, and the rest go to local clinics that cannot handle emergencies or perform Caesareans…
It is not easy to lure doctors and nurses to Berega, where most people live in mud huts with no electricity, flush toilets or running water. Malaria is common.
So, not enough doctors means poor medical care or long waits. It’s too expensive for these desperately poor women anyway. And even once they decide to go, it may be too late by the time they get there.
If women do get to hospital, there may be 2 or 3 to a bed. Photo by Beatrice de Gea.
This situation needs more than western mercy missions. These are only ever a stop-gap measure. “Coming here to cure people is good, but what can we do to prevent this?” This situation needs a generation committed to working for change.
It’s not just about doctors and nurses either. It’s about engineers to design good roads; business people to run hospitals; bureaucrats who ensure equitable distribution of resources; basic education for women. It’s about infrastructure at every level, for the long haul.
It’s not only about training these professionals. It’s also about giving them a reason to stay in a country where the situation looks hopeless, often at significant personal cost. It’s about empowering them to fight corruption instead of becoming entangled in it.
We believe it’s the Holy Spirit who provides the resources for this; that Christ is the ultimate example; that God is bigger than brokenness, that he is in the business of transforming lives.
Categories: Tanzania University ministry Woman Written by Tamie
Tamie Davis
Tamie Davis is an Aussie living in Tanzania, writing at meetjesusatuni.com.
Meet Jesus at uni 
Only 20 percent of women in the area (what area is that) give birth at the hospital, and many do so only when they need Caesareans. Many women say they simply cannot afford the hospital. More than 50 percent stay home to give birth, and the rest go to local clinics that cannot handle emergencies or perform Caesareans…
What area is that in Tanzania? I hope it is not the whole Tanzania. Peace.
Hi Jane
The article I link to in the post has the details. :)