On September 25, 2026, President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania addressed a high-level meeting at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, USA, advocating for improved maternal and child health. The meeting, titled "Advocacy for a New Era: Women Leading Maternal and Child Health for All" (SHE RISES), brought together global health leaders and stakeholders. President Samia emphasized the importance of women's leadership in healthcare and the need for increased investment in maternal and child health.
Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndeitwah, who also spoke at the meeting, praised President Samia's commitment to protecting the health and dignity of women and children. President Nandi-Ndeitwah stressed that investing in maternal and child health is crucial for Africa's future and should not be seen as a routine expenditure, but rather as an investment in people, the economy, and sustainable development.
The meeting was part of President Samia's efforts as Chair of the African Union's Maternal and Child Health initiative. She called on African countries to increase their domestic capacity to fund maternal and child health services, rather than relying heavily on external aid. President Nandi-Ndeitwah pledged Namibia's continued collaboration with Tanzania in implementing the African Union's health agenda.
Tanzanian Vice President Deogratius Ndejembi presented the country's experience in investing in the health sector, highlighting significant progress. Between 2015 and 2022, maternal deaths decreased from 556 to 104 per 100,000 live births, and child deaths under five years old dropped from 67 to 43 per 1,000 live births. The health budget increased from approximately TSH 780 billion in 2015 to TSH 1.8 trillion in the 2026/27 financial year.
The M-Mama system, which provides emergency referrals for pregnant women and newborns, has facilitated over 150,000 referrals as of August 2026. Vice President Ndejembi emphasized that these achievements demonstrate the importance of combining political will, resources, and implementation in improving citizens' lives.
The SHE RISES agenda, championed by President Samia, aims to remove barriers to maternal and child health, including home births, and reduce preventable maternal and newborn deaths. The initiative also seeks to increase women's participation in healthcare leadership and decision-making. UNFPA Executive Director Diene Keita and WHO Regional Director for Africa Dr. Mohamed Janabi praised Tanzania's leadership in prioritizing maternal and child health.
The meeting was attended by various leaders from Africa and beyond, including former Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, UN officials, global health stakeholders, and policymakers. The SHE RISES initiative underscores the importance of women's leadership in healthcare and aims to increase their participation in policy-making, budgeting, and leadership positions in the health sector.
Key points
- President Samia Suluhu Hassan champions maternal and child health agenda at the UN General Assembly.
- African countries urged to increase domestic funding for maternal and child health services.
- Tanzania showcases progress in reducing maternal and child deaths, and increasing health budget.
