Uzazi Uzima Project: Improving Access to Reproductive and Maternal Health Services
The Uzazi Uzima Project, implemented from 2017 through early 2021 in Simiyu Region, aimed to reduce maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity by improving the availability of quality reproductive, maternal, newborn, and adolescent health (RMNCAH) services and subsequent utilization of those services, including family planning. One key aspect of Uzazi Uzima (meaning “Safe Deliveries” in Swahili) is to enhance the knowledge and skills of health workers to deliver quality RMNCAH services.
A Quick Fix in the Community
Healthcare worker Shija Shigemela provides family planning services at the Ikungulyabashashi Dispensary. Image courtesy of Uzazi Uzima.
Shija Shigemela is a healthcare worker at the Ikungulyabashashi Dispensary. In 2018, Shija was selected to attend a two-week comprehensive family planning training, followed by a certification process three months later. Because Shija had not yet attained full competence in the insertion of intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUDs or IUCDs), he was linked with Uzazi Uzima’s outreach team for further practice and skills enhancement. One year later, Shija was reassessed for certification, and as a result of his job attachment with Uzazi Uzima, he was found to be among the most competent providers—able to provide proper health education and counseling on more types of family planning services, including LARCs.
Shija is now providing the full range of family planning services to the community of Ikungulyabashashi, enabling women to access LARCs locally, rather than be referred to distant health centers, which has increased women’s satisfaction and improved access to quality RMNCAH services. A provider at the dispensary said:
“Before, women would complain of being pregnant because they could not get a method of their choice or because they forgot to take pills since they were the only methods provided, but now you would not hear this challenge from women.”
Ikungulyabashashi dispensary is now reaching about 15 to 20 women with family planning services per week. Shija said: “I have targets that have helped me in my skills that I have to attend to family planning clients every day, no matter how busy it gets in the clinic.”