ZANZIBAR PRESIDENT COMMENDS ABSA FOR IMPROVING MATERNAL & CHILD HEALTH

The President of Zanzibar and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council of Zanzibar, Hon. Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi (second from right), presents a certificate of appreciation to the Managing Director of Absa Bank Tanzania, Mr. Obedi Laiser, recognizing the bank's contribution to facilitating the Uzazi ni Salama (Safe Motherhood) campaign launched by Amref Tanzania in collaboration with the Zanzibar Ministry of Health in 2020. This was during the thanksgiving and fundraising event held at the State House in Zanzibar over the weekend. Others from left are: Zanzibar Minister of Health, Hon. Nassor Mazrui, Chairman of the Board of Amref Tanzania, Mr. Anthony Chamungwana, and Country Director of Amref Tanzania, Dr. Florence Temu.

State House, Zanzibar: The President of Zanzibar and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council of Zanzibar, Hon. Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi, has praised Absa Bank Tanzania for its contribution of 150 million Tanzanian shillings towards the "Uzazi ni Maisha" campaign aimed at improving maternal and child health during pregnancy and childbirth.

President Mwinyi made these remarks during the third thanksgiving and fundraising event for the campaign, organized by Amref in collaboration with the Zanzibar Ministry of Health and sponsored by Absa Bank Tanzania, held at the State House in Zanzibar over the weekend.

"Today, we have gathered here to support efforts to save lives through this campaign, which was launched in 2020 with the goal of raising 1 billion Tanzanian shillings.

"I have also been informed that in June of this year, Amref, our Ministry of Health, along with Absa Bank Tanzania and several stakeholders, provided medical supplies worth 262.6 million Tanzanian shillings for 28 health centers across five regions of Zanzibar. I would like to thank Amref Tanzania, our main sponsor Absa Bank Tanzania, and all stakeholders for their commitment to supporting the Zanzibar government's efforts to improve health services," President Mwinyi said.

In addition, he expressed encouragement to see Zanzibar on the right path to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2030, which include reducing maternal deaths to below 70 per 100,000 live births, neonatal deaths to 12 per 1,000 live births, and deaths of children under five to 25 per 1,000 live births by 2030.

The Managing Director of Absa Bank Tanzania, Mr. Obedi Laiser, stated that the bank is providing this support to align with the efforts of both the Zanzibar Revolutionary Government (SMZ) and the United Republic of Tanzania in investing in the health sector, particularly in reducing maternal and child mortality.

"At Absa Bank Tanzania, we align with our institution's goal of 'Empowering Africa and Tanzania for tomorrow together, one story at a time,' ensuring that our community receives the appropriate health services.

"This support also complements our recently launched brand promise 'Your story matters.' By supporting these efforts, we believe we are helping our governments write the stories that ensure all Tanzanians have access to quality health services," Mr. Laiser added.

Earlier, during the event, the Country Director of Amref Tanzania, Dr. Florence Temu, thanked President Mwinyi for accepting, committing, and supporting the Safe Motherhood’s ‘Uzazi ni Maisha’ campaign since its inception in 2020.

"I would also like to thank our main sponsor, Absa Bank, along with other donors who have been with us from the beginning to achieve the goals of this campaign, which has the them 'changia vifaa tiba kwa uzazi sama’ (Donate Medical Supplies for Safe Motherhood). Of our goal to raise 1 billion Tanzanian shillings, we have so far received pledges worth 989,831,145 Tanzanian shillings, over 98.9% of our target, with 740,457,422 Tanzanian shillings received, equivalent to 75%," Dr. Florence said.

The event was also attended by the Zanzibar Minister of Health, Hon. Nassoro Mazrui, Deputy Minister of Health, Hon. Hassan Khamis Hafidh, Permanent Secretary, Dr. Mngereza Mzee Miraji, ambassadors, and representatives from international and national development organizations, as well as government officials and public servants.