Amref Health Africa Tanzania has opened a Nutrition Rehabilitation Centre and a Youth-Friendly Service Unit at Pangani District Hospital in Tanga. According to Daily News, these facilities are part of the Afya Himilivu Project, a three-year effort launched in May 2024 with funding from the Irish embassy. The programme aims to bolster maternal and child health, nutrition, and community-based care in the district. Ireland’s Ambassador to Tanzania, Nicola Brennan, joined local officials for the inauguration, noting that the goal is to ensure children receive the care needed to develop and thrive.
The district’s implementation report, cited by Daily News, indicates the nutrition centre cost 81 million shillings, while the youth unit required 58 million shillings. To enhance climate resilience, the project allocated 99 million shillings for solar power and rainwater harvesting systems. These upgrades were installed at Pangani District Hospital, Madanga Health Centre, and Kwakibuyu Dispensary to ensure consistent access to essential utilities. The infrastructure improvements are designed to help these facilities withstand climate-related disruptions and maintain service reliability.
Community engagement is a central component of the initiative. Daily News reports that 192 community health workers from all 96 hamlets in the district received training to support local healthcare delivery. Additionally, 29 professionals were trained in respectful maternity care, and another 29 learned to identify and treat malnutrition in children under five. To extend youth-focused services, 30 health teachers from 15 secondary schools and 187 community workers underwent specific training. Another 87 workers from six wards were taught to detect and report disease outbreaks, enhancing local surveillance systems.
The project has also prioritized nutrition education, engaging 28,926 residents over two years through quarterly Village Health and Nutrition Days. Dr Florence Temu, Country Director of Amref Health Africa Tanzania, emphasized that partnership between the government and development partners is crucial for improving health outcomes. Pangani District Commissioner Mwanaidi Rajabu welcomed the investment, urging continued government support to ensure the new facilities remain operational and benefit the community long-term.