In August 2015, the GIZ-funded Improving Maternal and Newborn Health project in Tanzania was launched. Focusing on the two Regions of Lindi and Mtwara, this 20-month module of the overall Tanzania German Programme to Support Health (TGPSH) aims to make a significant contribution to the improved availability of medical devices for emergency obstetric care and to an increase in the number of health care facilities that provide professional service and maintenance staff for medical equipment.

The formal kick-off event for the project was held on September 3, 2015 in Lindi in the presence of GIZ’s Team Leader for Improvement of Maternal and Child Health, Dr Regine Unkels; the Deputy Programme Manager of TGPSH, Dr Christian Pfleiderer; the Senior International Technical Advisor, Mr Yeneingeda Kassahun;  the National Senior Technical Advisor, Mr Godfrey Katabaro, as well as the Regional Medical Officer of Lindi, Dr Sonda Shaaban; the Regional Medical Officer of Mtwara, Dr Said M Maarifa; and the Health Secretary of Mtwara, Dr Godfrey Nyombi.