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Wete YMA Louds Fellows Support
The Family Planning Association of Tanzania (UMATI) in Wete, Pemba is enjoying the services of Mkapa Fellow Dr.Muhadili Shemsanga who has been her instrumental resource in project writing and implementation.
According to Mr. Rashid Abdalah Rashid of UMATI in Wete, Dr.Shemsanga has assisted the association to develop a proposal on Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) that was submited to Family Health International for funding. This has been possible through BMAF outreach programmes which, among other things, mobilises youth to engage in various health related projects, particulary sexual reproductive health.
"Dr.Shemsanga is our biggest resource. He helps us whenever we approach him for advise. We commend BMAF for deploying such a fellow in our area" he said.
BMAF Fellows throughout their designated districts have been involved in providing technical support in the areas of project writing and implementation. They, for instance, provide voluntary counselling and testing, care and treatment to clients in the communities they operate.
As such, BMAF in areas like Wete in Pemba, has been cited in various proposals as core partner in provision of SHR education and campaign.
District Health Systems Strengthening initiatives pay off
Both programmes - the Mkapa Fellows and Emergency Hiring (EHP) have scored notable successes in district health management structures and general provision of health services. Ten (10) Medical officers under the Mkapa Fellows Programme have been appointed as District Medical Officers and some of the deployed health personnel have assumed managerial positions in the various Councils Health Management Teams (CHMTs) and in Hospital management teams. Presence of Pharmaceutical and Laboratory specialists have contributed highly in the improvement of the drugs and supplies logistic systems as well as Laboratory services and quality control. Due to the fact that the deployed teams possess varying skills and expertise, their presence additionally contributed to improved obstetrical and child health services particularly provision of Emergency Obstetric Care including surgeries.
 Youth and other vulnerable groups were reached through sexual reproductive health services including HIV/AIDS education an experience noted in the districts of Newala, Wete and Tarime. Additionally, the trained teams have provided technical guidance and clinical mentorship on effective planning of district HIV/AIDS interventions and on care and treatment to staff at lower Primary HealthCare units (PHCs), respectively. A unique milestone reached by the Foundation through the Mkapa Fellows Programme is the mainstreaming of Fellows into the public service whereby 27 of them were absorbed during the financial year 2008/09. Additional 93 health staff under the two programmes is in the process of being mainstreamed as well during the FY 2009/10.
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