New York City, New York
Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced three new projects that support life-saving treatments and improved healthcare for mothers and children in Tanzania, as part of the Canadian-led Muskoka Initiative launched at the G-8 Summit in June 2010. The announcement was made following a meeting with Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete. “Canada continues to play an international leadership role in improving the lives of mothers and children in developing countries,” said Prime Minister Harper. “These new maternal, newborn and child health initiatives will help some of the most vulnerable people in Tanzania and demonstrate Canada’s commitment to the G-8 Muskoka Initiative.”
The projects will strengthen Tanzanian efforts aimed at supporting improvements in infrastructure, equipment and training related to prenatal, delivery and postnatal care. This includes providing greater access to upgraded health centres, training healthcare workers in emergency obstetrics, maternal, newborn and child health and nutrition practices, and providing greater access to family planning and vaccinations.
The new projects are in addition to the $63 million announced by Prime Minister Harper in May of this year for the Strengthening Tanzania’s Health System project, and will be delivered through the Canadian International Development Agency’s (CIDA) bilateral Tanzania Program.
Prime Minister Harper also announced an additional project aimed at improving economic growth and development in Tanzania by helping the country comply with international standards related to disclosure of revenues from the extractive sector.