Over 2.3 million Babies are born in Tanzania every year, but the country has only 350 pediatrics

Tanzania records more than 2.3 million births of live babies each year.

However, the number of child specialists serving in the country’s hospitals is around 350 only.

The chairperson of Pediatric Association of Tanzania (PAT), Dr Theopista Jacob points out that, due to shortage of such clinical specialists, a single doctor is forced to serve over 100,000 newborn babies.

“It is quite a challenge, considering we are working hard to reduce maternal deaths in our medical centers,” added Dr Jacob, pointing out that, despite the shortage, Tanzania has managed to cut down mother and child deaths, though the situation could have been better.

Tanzania, on the other hand is working to reduce the doctor to child ratio by evenly distributing medical personnel across the country.

At least, this is according to the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Health.

Permanent Secretary, Dr Seif Shekalaghe was addressing delegates attending the second Tanzania Child Health and Welfare Congress taking place at the Gran Melia Hotel in Arusha City.

Speaking during the congress, the Permanent Secretary pointed out that, the main reason why there seems to be a gaping vacuum between pediatrics and their young patients is due to the fact that there is unequal distribution of medical practitioners in Tanzania.

“There are some regions and districts with more than​ their fair share of doctors, while other parts of the country have fewer such health workers,” stated Dr Shekalaghe, adding that, the only way out of this problem is to redistribute pediatrics equally and evenly, across the nation.

Organized by the Pediatric Association of Tanzania in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the congress treads on the theme of ‘Quality of Care: Empowering Families to ensure wellness in every child’s journey!’

The three-day meeting and health workshop is part of the congress which takes place in the country after every three years.

It was observed by participants, during the congress, that most newborn deaths in Tanzania are usually caused by breathing complications.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are approximately 6500 newborn deaths occurring around the globe every day, amounting to 47 percent of all child deaths under the age of 5 years.