Ifakara Health Institute partnered with the African Population & Health Research Centre and the Countdown to 2030 project to host a two-day "Countdown to 2030 Statistical Analysis" workshop held in Dar es Salaam from November 20-21, 2023. The goal was to enhance the understanding and analysis of maternal mortality data in Tanzania for more effective interventions.

The workshop, which was led by Dr. Honorati Masanja, the Chief Executive Director; Ifakara Scientist Josephine Shabani; and Prof. Ties Boerma from the University of Manitoba, brought together participants from various public health institutions and it focused on addressing maternal mortality.

The stakeholders were drawn from the Ministry of Health (MOH), National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS), University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), Ifakara Health Institute (IHI) and the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center (KCMC) involved in Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E), mathematics, statistics, and epidemiology.

Countdown to 2023

Countdown to 2030 (CD2030) is a collaboration of academics from global, regional, country institutions, UN agencies, and World Bank and civil society organizations, to track the progress of life-saving interventions for Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health and Nutrition (RMNCAH+N). 

Since 2013, IHI has been working on CD2030 in collaboration with MOH, WHO, World Bank, and UNICEF to improve coverage measurement and monitoring, and strengthen­­ the regional and country capacity for evidence generation and use. The principal investigator for this study is Dr. Honorati Masanja while the project coordinator is Josephine Shabani. 

Read more about the project here

Why the workshop

The workshop aimed to improve participants' understanding of maternal mortality data in Tanzania through scientific analysis. This involved examining various data sources, including population-based surveys, census data, and health facility information.

The expected outcome was to obtain estimates of current maternal mortality levels, trends, and geographic disparities in Tanzania. This information is crucial for designing effective interventions and policies to reduce maternal mortality within the country. 

Workshop structure

The first day of the workshop involved discussions on population-based sources and health facility data. Topics covered included maternal mortality rates, individual-level analysis, and specific studies such as the Reproductive Age Mortality Study (RAMOS) Dar es Salaam study. Financial analysis highlights were also part of the agenda.

On the second day participants delved into insights from the “Countdown Tanzania annual analysis” report for 2023. Discussions also included alignment with the Health Sector Strategic Plan V (HSSP V), indicating a connection between the workshop's outcomes and the broader health strategies of Tanzania, each sharing insights gained over the course of the 2 days.