BMF REACHES 90 PERCENT OF TANZANIA
Admin
April 25, 2018
In its twelve years of existence Benjamin Mkapa Foundation (BMF) has managed to reach 90 percent of the country with interventions that aim at improving health services delivery.
Updating the 3rd Annual BMF Partners’ Meeting which is an internal forum held in Dar es Salaam recently, Foundation’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Ellen Mkondya-Senkoro, said from July 2015 to December 2017 the institution in collaboration with partners has carried multiple projects contributing to National Frameworks.
Photo 1; A group photo of BMF Staff and Partners during 3rd Annual Partners internal meeting on 24th April 2018 at New Africa Hotel, Dar es Salaam.
She mentioned those multi-funded projects and their financiers in the brackets as Health Systems on Maternal New-born health (UNFPA), Advocacy on HRH Project (Irish Aid, USAID), The Mkapa Fellows Programme II (Irish Aid, ACACIA, Corporates/ Individuals), The TB/HIV Project (Global Fund) and Health Systems Strengthening (HSS) Project (Global Fund).
Others are Regional Hospital Strengthening Project (ABBOTT Fund), Public Sector Systems Strengthening (USAID), HIV/AIDS Support (UNAIDS), Community Health Workers Project (UK Comic Relief), Site Improvement through Monitoring Systems (Walter Reed) and Anaesthesia Project (Gradian).
Dr. Senkoro said through those projects BMF has reinforced response to HIV and AIDS and related health conditions, found solutions for Human Resources for Health problems and managed information, education and communication for policy and advocacy issues.
The CEO said until Dec 2017, a total of 482 newly constructed staff houses in 269 health facilities in 55 Districts were fully completed and handed over to the Government authorities.
Photo 2; Dr. Ellen Mkondya – Senkoro – CEO, giving updates on BMF performance during 3rd Annual Partners Meeting.
In enhancing accessibility and availability of quality maternal health services, BMF has built and equipped 11 operating theatres, trained staff to undertake caesarean section and strengthened supportive supervision by medical specialists to lower level health staff in providing comprehensive emergency obstetric care services.
“Through our interventions we have managed to put smiles on the faces of the underserved. For instance we have reduced facility obstetric referrals by 74% in the 19 beneficiary sites,” she said.
During the meeting, the partners recommended BMF to expand more to its focused areas and become also active player in supporting the Health Financing agenda.
Photo 3; Jacqueline Mahon – UNFPA representative Tanzania speaking during 3rd Annual Partners Meeting.