Mama na Mtoto

Mama na Mtoto (MnM) - ‘mother and child’ in Swahili, is an initiative between Tanzanian, Ugandan and Canadian partners that aimed to improve maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH) and reduce mortality in the Lake Zone area of Tanzania by working with local health authorities to strengthen local health systems. 

Partners developed, implemented and evaluated a package of interventions designed to strengthen existing government systems in the districts of Misungwi and Kwimba. Together, they worked to build the capacity of districts and health facilities to provide quality MNCH services, including antenatal care, delivery, and postnatal care. Mama na Mtoto also promoted healthy practices and increased use of MNCH services by mobilizing district-led networks of community health worker (CHW) volunteers.

INTERVENTION

SOPETAR

MnM activities included meetings, equipment provision, facility upgrades, training, mentorship, and technical assistance. Led by districts, activities were delivered in a specific sequence of purposeful steps: SCAN, ORIENT, PLAN, EQUIP, TRAIN, ACT, and REFLECT (SOPETAR). This process was designed to promote quality implementation by incorporating partner experiences, recognized best practices, and district priorities.

Simulation

Health workers refreshed their basic emergency obstetric and newborn care (BEmONC) skills in hands-on, simulation-based clinical workshops and received training and mentorship on data use and management. District health managers and facility supervisors participated in leadership training and oversaw facility-based improvements and action planning initiatives.

Community Health Workers (CHW)

Training, supervision and mentorship encouraged strong networks of volunteer CHWs. These volunteers conducted educational home visits, assessed and referred pregnant women and newborns, and promoted health innovation and income-generating activities amongst their own groups and communities.

Dr. Dismas Matovelo (Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences)

Dr. Jenn Brenner (University of Calgary)

Initiative partners:

• Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences 
• Mbarara University of Science and Technology 
• Save the Mothers 
• Canadian Paediatric Society 
• Agriteam Canada/Alinea International 

Additional resources:

• Mama na Mtoto Experience website

Associated papers, publications and reports:

• Mama na Mtoto - Project Summary
• Mama na Mtoto – Implementation
• Mama na Mtoto – Outcomes and results
• Mama na Mtoto - Simulation-Based Training & Peer-to-Peer Learning

Mama na Mtoto was supported through several research and project grants. Initiative activities were undertaken with the financial support of the Government of Canada provided through Global Affairs Canada (GAC).

Research was funded through an Innovating for Maternal and Child Health in Africa grant, co-funded by Global Affairs Canada, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and Canada’s International Development Research Centre.