KOFIH Successfully Completes Maternal and Newborn Health Project in Dodoma, Tanzania

Final Workshop Attended by Dodoma Regional Commissioner Highlights Strong Government Commitment and Project Achievements

The Korea Foundation for International Healthcare (KOFIH) successfully held the final workshop of the Capacity Strengthening Project on Essential Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (EmONC) in Dodoma Region, Tanzania, in Dodoma on 22 July 2026.

The event was attended by Dodoma Regional Commissioner Rosemary Senyamule, representatives of the regional government and health authorities, officials from Kongwa and Mpwapwa, healthcare facility staff, and the KOFIH Tanzania Office. The high-level participation demonstrated the importance of the project and the strong commitment of the Tanzanian authorities to sustaining its achievements.

The project aimed to strengthen the capacity of local health facilities to provide emergency obstetric and newborn care and contribute to reducing maternal and neonatal deaths. Its activities included the construction and renovation of health facilities, provision of medical equipment, capacity-building for healthcare workers, safe blood management, community awareness campaigns, and strengthened health governance.

Maternity, operating theatre, laboratory, pediatric and newborn care facilities were constructed or renovated at key health facilities, including Rudi Health Centre and Kongwa District Hospital. Generators were also installed at nine strategic facilities to support the reliable provision of emergency surgery, delivery and newborn care.

Community mobilization and blood donation campaigns resulted in the collection of 7,566 units of blood. Maternal health awareness activities reached more than 9,300 women of reproductive age, promoting early antenatal care, birth preparedness, facility-based delivery, postnatal care, skilled birth attendance and awareness of danger signs during pregnancy and childbirth. Reproductive health education was also provided in schools to help prevent teenage pregnancy.

Local health authorities reported that the project strengthened maternal and newborn healthcare in Kongwa and Mpwapwa and contributed to a reduction in maternal deaths. The Tanzanian newspaper Daily News also highlighted the final workshop and the contribution of the Republic of Korea and KOFIH to the health sector in Dodoma.

The Dodoma Regional Commissioner emphasized the importance of maintaining the supported infrastructure and equipment, effectively using trained healthcare workers, and continuing blood donation and community maternal health activities.

KOFIH will continue to work closely with partner governments and local communities to ensure that the project’s achievements are sustained and that mothers and newborns have access to safe, high-quality healthcare services.