Strengthening maternal and newborn health services in Tanzania - "Beginnings Fund"

Safe Beginnings: A Partnership to Transform Maternal and Newborn Health in Tanzania is a five-year initiative supported by The Beginnings Fund through Global Impact to help reduce preventable maternal and newborn deaths and stillbirths.

The initiative is being implemented across 10 African countries, including Tanzania, where the Ifakara Health Institute (IHI) serves as the lead coordinating partner, working with the government and other stakeholders. The program will run from May 2026 to June 2031.

What the project aims to address

Despite progress in maternal and newborn health, preventable deaths continue to be linked to gaps in access to and quality of essential care during pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period. These challenges include shortages of skilled health workers, gaps in essential equipment and supplies, and weaknesses in health information and wider health-system support.

The Beginnings Fund aims to strengthen these areas and support health facilities and health systems to provide better, safer and more consistent care for mothers and newborns.

Where the project will work

In mainland Tanzania, the project will work across 12 regions and 210 health facilities, with a focus on facilities providing a high volume of maternity and newborn services.

The program will also support maternal and newborn health improvements in Zanzibar, focusing on five high-volume districts: Mjini, Magharibi B, Kaskazini A, Micheweni and Chake-Chake.

IHI’s role

IHI will play a central role in coordinating and monitoring the program, generating evidence, strengthening health information systems and supporting the use of data to improve maternal and newborn health services.

The Institute will work closely with the Ministry of Health, the Prime Minister’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (PMO-RALG), regional and local government authorities, and other partners to support implementation, track progress and generate evidence that can inform improvements in maternal and newborn care.

A long-term investment in maternal and newborn health

Running from 1 May 2026 to 30 June 2031, the Beginnings Fund represents a long-term investment in strengthening Tanzania’s capacity to prevent avoidable maternal and newborn deaths and improve the quality of care available to women and newborns.

Through its role in coordination, monitoring, evidence and learning, data systems, digtial health and capacity strengthening, IHI will contribute to building stronger services that can deliver better outcomes for mothers and newborns.