They come at a time when many of our farmers struggle to benefit from the livestock sector. It is an embarrassing situation considering that Tanzania is among the top five countries in Africa in terms of livestock population. Furthermore, studies have shown that the country has even more potential to become a global player in the production of livestock and related products such as meat, milk and hides for sale in the international market.

 

At the moment, though, Tanzania's production capacity is underutilised. Livestock production has largely been left to communities that have traditionally reared large herds of animals and which continue to cling to poor breeds and inferior methods of production. Most pastoralists are keen on large herds of animals and have little regard for quality.

 

As a result, the country can barely satisfy the local demand for livestock products such as meat and milk. Many families continue to wrestle with malnutrition because they cannot afford milk and meat whose prices are beyond them. This deficit in production, which could be plugged by investment in modern technology and better breeds of livestock, has created room for importation of milk and other products at the expense of local players in the sector.

 

But with the help of the government and other stakeholders, the livestock production sector will not only feed the nation, but will also be a major source of foreign exchange. This will be possible if livestock keepers will wake up to the advantages of keeping manageable high-yielding herds of livestock. It makes little sense to cherish large herds of livestock that end up dying for lack of pasture and water. It means, we have no choice but to modernise the country's livestock sector.

 

 

A decision by the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to change its approach in the fight against maternal mortality is quite encouraging.

 

On Sunday, the NHIF said pregnant women would now be registered through mobile phones under a pilot project designed to reduce maternal mortality. It is funded by the Germany Development Bank (KFW).

 

Since its discovery a host of years ago, the service has been one of the best ways to put the problem in check, but relevant authorities in Tanzania have generally been slow in implementing it.

 

With an estimated population of 45 million people, which is 0.5 per cent of the world's population, Tanzania accounts for three to five per cent of the global maternal deaths with a maternal mortality rate (MMR) of 454 per 100,000 live births.

 

This means in every 100 maternal deaths worldwide, three to five take place in Tanzania.

 

Available statistics in the Health ministry show that in 1990, the MMR was 870 per 100,000 live births. In 2010, it was 460.

 

While giving birth can be one of the most significant events in a woman's life, without access to skilled care it can also be a scary and dangerous experience. This is the reason a change of heart in handling this problem is significant.

Source : allafrica.com