HEALTH Minister Jenista Mhagama has highlighted Tanzania’s progress toward Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.1, which aims to reduce maternal mortality to fewer than 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030.

Speaking at the 74th East, Central, and Southern Africa health ministers’ conference (ECSA-HC) in Malawi, Mhagama praised the Safer Births Bundle of Care (SBBC) programme for its role in transforming maternal and neonatal healthcare.

“The SBBC programme, alongside other health initiatives, has significantly reduced maternal and neonatal deaths,” she stated.

Currently active in five regions, SBBC has been a game-changer by training healthcare workers (HCWs) and utilising innovative tools to address common childbirth complications. A key component is the Low-Dose, High-Frequency (LDHF) training model, which provides frequent, smaller-scale training sessions. Additionally, simulation-based training allows midwives to practice critical birth scenarios using advanced mannequins that provide real-time feedback, enhancing confidence and competence.

According to the Ministry of Health, maternal mortality declined from 1,744 deaths in 2018 to 1,477 in 2022, while neonatal deaths dropped from 11,524 to 6,342 over the same period.

Dr Benjamin Kamala, Principal Investigator of SBBC, emphasised that LDHF-trained HCWs are better equipped to handle emergencies. “The success of SBBC lies in its combination of innovative clinical tools, continuous training, and data-driven improvements,” he noted.

The first phase (2021-2023) delivered impressive results, reaching over 300,000 mother-baby pairs and achieving a 75 percent reduction in maternal deaths, a 40 percent decrease in newborn deaths within 24 hours, and an 18 percent reduction in perinatal deaths. The programme has also reduced unnecessary referrals, with midwives now more confident managing complex cases on-site.

Dr Kamala underscored the importance of continuous quality improvement, urging HCWs to use facility-generated data to identify service gaps and enhance care.

“HCWs must analyse the data they produce to improve service delivery,” he stressed.

Ensuring sustainability, Dr Paschal Mdoe, executive director of Haydom Lutheran Hospital in Manyara, highlighted the programme’s integration into Tanzania’s healthcare system. “SBBC has become part of the healthcare culture in these regions, ensuring its continuity even without external funding,” he said.

Following its success in Tanzania, SBBC has expanded to Nigeria and Ethiopia, adopting similar models to combat high maternal and neonatal mortality.

Prof. Hege Ersdal, lead international researcher for Safer Births, affirmed the programme’s impact. “Our research proves that maternal and newborn deaths can be significantly reduced and these improvements sustained over time,” she said.

The programme’s success has been recognized in publications such as the New England Journal of Medicine, demonstrating the power of collaboration between governments, development partners, and the private sector.