The Ministry of Health and local partners, the Beginnings Fund patnership /Photo; Courtesy
Five districts in Zanzibar account for 74 per cent of maternal deaths and 78 per cent of perinatal deaths recorded across the islands, highlighting persistent gaps in access to quality maternal and newborn healthcare.
To address these challenges, the Beginnings Fund has committed US$9.6 million to a five-year partnership aimed at strengthening maternal and newborn health services across 63 health facilities in five priority districts.
Launched on October 21, 2026, the initiative aims to reach approximately 200,000 women and newborns through improved pregnancy monitoring, safer childbirth services and expanded access to specialised newborn care.
Planned interventions include introducing ultrasound services, digital monitoring during childbirth, expanding group antenatal care and strengthening midwifery services. The partnership will also support the construction of up to two neonatal care units and provide additional training for healthcare workers.
Beginnings Fund Chief Executive Officer Alice Kang’ethe said improving access to essential services, skilled midwives and timely emergency care was critical to preventing avoidable maternal and newborn deaths.
“Timely care during pregnancy, skilled midwives at birth, and emergency services when complications arise are key. At the same time, innovation is expanding what is possible. Having the right services available at the right time can make all the difference. That is what this partnership is about,”she said.
The five priority districts are Mjini, Magharibi B and Kaskazini A on Unguja, alongside Micheweni and Chake-Chake on Pemba. Together, they record more than 38,000 facility deliveries annually.
Implementation will involve the Zanzibar Ministry of Health and local partners, including Health Improvement Project Zanzibar, WAJAMAMA, Ifakara Health Institute and the Benjamin Mkapa Foundation.
The philanthropic investment will complement approximately US$44.8 million in planned contributions from the Zanzibar government and implementing partners.
H.E. Dr Shamma Khalifa Al Mazrouei, Director General of the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity, and a founding donor of the Beginnings Fund, said:
“Many of the complications that threaten the lives of mothers and newborns are preventable. The difference is whether risks are identified early, if skilled care is available, and whether health facilities are equipped to respond.
“ This partnership can help turn that capacity into what matters most: safer births, healthier mothers, and a stronger start for newborns across Zanzibar,” he added.
