Diocese of Winchester

Sick people in Masasi currently have to travel 25 km (15 miles) to the nearest health centre and 16 km to the nearest dispensary just to buy drugs for pain or for prophylaxis treatment for malaria, which is among the top ten diseases in Tanzania. In addition to this, there is inadequate supply of clean water in the region, high rates of malnutrition of under-fives and adult illiteracy.

• Masasi is our link Diocese in the South of Tanzania, a region regularly affected by severe drought and consequent food shortages and one of the poorest parts of Tanzania. At this time when our permanent international links are at the centre of prayers for the whole of Mothers’ Union around the world (from 21st – 25th January) it is great to be learning news of new projects in these places.

• Because of its respected reputation in development work, members of the local community in Masasi approached Mothers’ Union to share their concerns about this situation. To assess local needs, Mothers’ Union carried out an assessment in each of the eight areas (archdeaconries) using focus group discussions and other techniques. The views of village government leaders, religious leaders from a variety of denominations, school teachers and students, and representatives from the different villages were also collected.

• The assessment found that delays in treatment and a lack of medicine for malaria and other transmitted diseases is causing a rise in maternal and child mortality. The inadequacy of current healthcare is leading many people to consult traditional healers.

• The research helped identify that the most effective solution to the current situation is an essential drugs pharmacy easily accessible to people in the local area is vital. The establishment of the pharmacy will enable minor health problems to be treated locally and in a timely fashion. The pharmacy will provide preventative and curative treatments, treating minor illnesses and referring more complicated cases to other organisations for further treatment or consultation.

• A suitable building has already been identified to house the pharmacy. It will be staffed by two medical professionals who have been fully trained in running essential drugs pharmacy services. Their previous experience includes running a pharmacy in the private sector and working for 30 years as a fully trained nurse in a government hospital. It is estimated that more than 10,000 people a year will directly benefit from the project whilst the entire community will benefit as the project focuses on service delivery and health care for all.

• Mothers’ Union in Masasi expects the project to cost approx £9000k per year for the first three years, after which it is hoped that it will become self-sustaining through its profits. At present Mothers’ Union leaders in Masasi think they can raise £1,200/year of this cost, but the rest of the money needs to raised for and provided through the Mothers’ Union Overseas Fund.

It may be that your group, and you as an individual, might be interested in raising awareness of this project as an example of how the Mothers’ Union operates internationally. By doing so you can raise money for our Overseas Fund. If you want information or a speaker to help you do this, please contact us using the links along the top of this website.