Project Summary

Zanzibar, a semi-autonomous archipelago of Tanzania, faces significant maternal and child health challenges—particularly in remote coastal areas. Limited access to healthcare services, high rates of maternal and neonatal mortality, inadequate antenatal and postnatal care, and a lack of trained health personnel underscore the urgent need for a comprehensive, community-based intervention.

From Coast to Clinic is a 3-year multi-tiered health initiative aimed at improving maternal and child health outcomes by bridging the gap between underserved coastal communities and quality healthcare services. This project will strengthen local health systems, empower communities, and deliver innovative, sustainable healthcare solutions.

Goal

To significantly reduce maternal and child morbidity and mortality in remote coastal regions of Zanzibar through improved access to healthcare, capacity building, and community-driven interventions.

Objectives

1. Improve Access to Quality Maternal and Child Healthcare:

• Deploy mobile clinics to reach isolated coastal areas.
• Upgrade existing rural health facilities with essential equipment and medications.

2.Capacity Building for Local Health Workers:

• Train 100+ community health workers (CHWs) and midwives in maternal and neonatal care.
• Provide continuing medical education to rural clinicians.

3. Community Education & Engagement:

• Launch awareness campaigns on prenatal care, safe delivery, breastfeeding, nutrition, and family planning.
• Establish 50 maternal care support groups and safe birthing spaces.

4. Data-Driven Health Monitoring:

• Implement a mobile health (mHealth) reporting system for maternal and child. health indicators.
• Conduct quarterly health surveys to monitor progress and identify needs.

Key Components

• Mobile clinic deployment: biweekly visits to 30+ coastal villages.
• Renovation and equipping of 10 primary health centers.
• Maternal and child health training workshops (biannual).
• Community town halls and health outreach days.
• Distribution of maternal kits, nutritional supplements, and clean delivery kits.
• Integration of solar-powered refrigeration units for vaccine storage.

Expected Outcomes

• 50% reduction in maternal mortality rates in target areas by Year 3.
• 60% increase in facility-based births.
• 80% of trained CHWs retained and actively serving their communities.
• 90% immunization coverage for children under five in target zones.

Beneficiaries

• Direct: 15,000+ pregnant women, 18,000 children under five, 100+ healthcare workers.
• Indirect: 100,000+ residents of coastal communities in Zanzibar.

Duration

36 months (July 2025 – June 2028)

Project Partners

• Zanzibar Ministry of Health.
• UNICEF Tanzania.
• Save the Children.
• Zanzibar Nurses Association.
• Local Community-Based Organizations (CBOs)

Estimated Budget: $1,450,000 USD

Sustainability Plan

• Integration with Zanzibar’s national health strategy for long-term adoption.
• Training local trainers to ensure knowledge transfer and continuity.
• Strengthening health information systems for ongoing monitoring.
• Community ownership of health groups and outreach activities.

Conclusion

From Coast to Clinic represents a bold and compassionate step toward health equity in Zanzibar. By connecting the dots between coastal communities and clinical care, this initiative will create a lasting impact on generations of women and children, ensuring every birth is safe and every child thrives—no matter where they are born.