It is estimated 8,000 women die every year during child birth and there is increased newborn deaths within Tanzania. The situation is attributed by the wide spread Human Resource for Health shortage estimated at 68%, which also contributes to only 47% of mothers delivering at the health facilities. (Tanzania Demographic Health Survey- 2004/5).
In attending to the above situation, the Benjamin William Mkapa HIV/AIDS Foundation (BMAF) initiated in 2009 a project which aims at improving lives of pregnant mothers and their newborns residing in Singida region. The project famously known as Saving Lives of Mothers and Infants ( Okoa Maisha ya Mama na Mtoto – in Swahili) completed its first phase in June 2010 after undertaking interventions for 18 months. 
The initiative is implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MOHSW) and the regional and districts teams of Singida and Iramba district councils. World Lung Foundation financially supports the project with Ifakara Health Institute being the administrator of the grant on behalf of WLF.
It is the two rural Health centers of Ikungi and Ndago from Singida Rural and Iramba District Councils respectively, that benefited from this first phase of the project to enable them improve quality of Emergency Obstetric Care (EMOC) services. 
Emergency Obstetric Care at Rural Health Centre- Reaching out to the community
The project successfully trained eight (8) health staff on Life Saving Skills whereby none of them had ever received this training before. Skills gained gradually contributed positively to maternal
and newborn health outcomes. Presence of two Mkapa Fellows who were Assistant Medical Officer and Medical Officer contributed significantly to ensuring availability of skilled professionals to assist the clients and other health staff.
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Health staff receiving oral and practical training on Emergency Obstetric Care
Quality improvement in health care was further made possible through the periodic technical supportive supervision provided by the District health team and Gynaecologist from the Regional Hospital or from the Mkapa Foundation.
Coaching and mentoring of the trained staff was applied throughout the supervision visit. 
Notable improvement in managing facility data at the health centres was registered however still this is an areas requiring further support for effective data collection, analysis and utilisation thus contributing to improved mothers and newborn health care.
Both centres were enhanced with basic medical equipments that aimed to improve quality of provision of basic obstetric care as well as to support emergencies. 
BMAF staff handing over equipments to the Singida health authorities
In-order to improve quality of care, the project expanded and rehabilitated the maternity ward of Ikungi health centre which ensured privacy and comfort of mothers being delivered at the facility. In addition, the rehabilitation has motivated health staff in providing services in a conducive environment.
The situation of Ikungi maternity ward before rehabilitation
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After Rehabilitation – Enhancing quality care: Women being delivered in clean and comfortable environment
Mother being attended by BMAF staff during field visit at the newly renovated Health Centre.
CHALLENGES:
The shortage of skilled health professional is a major bottleneck in provision of quality health care to mothers and children especially when it entails attending to emergency obstetric care. Weak attraction and retention strategies of health workforce as well as un-conducive working and living environment attribute to this crisis. 
Staff house in Ndago health centre
KEY MESSAGE:
Women and Children play a crucial role in development of Tanzania thus investing in their health is not only the right thing to do- it also builds stable, peaceful and productive societies. In-order to save their lives, partnership between public and private entities is pertinent. In addition health systems strengthening, particularly Human resource for Health is an essential component to be integrated in maternal and newborn health initiatives.
Produced by: Benjamin William Mkapa HIV/AIDS Foundation, September 2010. For further information visit: www.mkapahivfoundation.org; Email:
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