It’s Official in Msaranga and Nganjoni! – by Roger Hayward
Today, January 20th, while the rest of the team is on safari, Steve Barg and his wife accompanied me to the official openings of the Msaranga and Ngonjoni health clinics which have been supplied with refurbished and reconditioned equipment. This basic equipment is designed to reduce maternal and infant mortality (as it has done at the Kilema hospital) and to aid in the detection and treatment of disease. This will help to reach the overall goal of World Health to improve the success of birthing so that baby deaths at birth in Tanzania are reduced to the same level as in North America. Indeed, data taken over the last three years at the hospital shows that infant deaths are being reduced.
It was exceptionally gratifying to see that The Rotary Foundation Annual Programs Fund and our District 7070’s District Designated Funds have made this exciting initiative possible through the grant process. Many community members from both villages attended the opening ceremonies, including the Deputy District Commissioner and the head of the DMO. As well, Rotarians from the Kilema Kati and Moshi Rotary clubs were on hand to see the results of this part of the health-focused projects.
The opening of the Nganjoni clinic was especially welcomed because of its remote location serving over 7,000 people and because up until just recently there was no electricity at the clinic. The installation of the electricity was made possible by the Moshi District Council, Mama Vivian and Sister Joanna, together with friends in the United States. Soon it will be a fully-functioning clinic meeting the needs of this rural population. The CEO of the Kilema hospital and Sister Matilda
of the hospital staff were on hand for this opening; Sister Matilda will continue with the training of the medical personnel staffing the clinic so that the equipment can be used effectively.
While the three of us worked, the rest of the team relaxed on safari. This just in – yesterday they saw zebras and the District Governor, Valarie, saw a lion. Today the group added to their treasure of memories as they witnessed a leopard and two lionesses.
There will likely be more news, and some photos, when they return and have more solid access to the internet…iffy at the best of times!
Well done everyone. I know that the communities of Msaranga and Nganjoni now have better medical services thanks to everyones’ work. Sorry we are not there to see it.
Dave and Sue