Kigoma’s Chief Medical Officer, Jesca Leba. Photo: Courtesy
Healthcare Crisis in Tanzania: Nurse Suspended for Neglect, Sparking Urgent Calls for Reform
By Adonis Byemelwa
The Uvinza District Council has suspended a nurse at Basanza Dispensary, Alex Lyimo, pending investigation following complaints of neglect during the delivery of Prisca Makenzi on June 9, 2024. This decision comes after a video circulated on social media showing Prisca, a 17-year-old, allegedly giving birth without any assistance from the healthcare provider at the Basanza Dispensary in Basanza Village.
Speaking to reporters on June 15, 2024, the Chief Medical Officer of Kigoma Region, Jesca Leba, confirmed that the regional government has already commenced an investigation into the incident. According to Leba, the Uvinza District Council has issued an official statement regarding the temporary suspension of the nurse involved due to the serious nature of the complaints.
The statement released on June 14, 2024, by the District Executive Director, Fred Milanzi, detailed the events leading up to the incident. It was reported that Prisca arrived at the Basanza Dispensary on June 9, 2024, after visiting a private laboratory in the village for further medical assistance. Suddenly experiencing labor pains, she walked directly to the delivery room.
Upon receiving the information, the nurse on duty, Alex Lyimo, who resides approximately five meters from the health center, arrived at the ward to find that Prisca had already given birth to a healthy baby boy weighing 2.6 kilograms.
The statement clarified that the mother received all necessary postnatal care and was allowed to rest until the afternoon of June 10, 2024, when she was discharged in good health alongside her baby.
The District Council has taken these allegations seriously and has relieved the nurse of his duties from June 15, 2024, to allow for an unbiased investigation. According to the Director, if found guilty, Alex Lyimo will face disciplinary action by public service laws, regulations, and procedures.
“I am disheartened by the actions of the individual who entered the maternity ward without permission, recorded the incident, and distributed the video on social media, causing widespread public alarm,” the Director stated.
In a related development, the Minister of State in the President’s Office, Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG), Mohamed Mchengerwa, has urged health workers to uphold the ethics of their profession while performing their duties.
In a public statement signed by the Head of Government Communications at (PO-RALG), Nteghenjwa Hosseah, on June 15, 2024, Mchengerwa emphasized that he would not hesitate to take action against any employee violating the standards and ethics of public service.
Health Minister Ummy Mwalimu condemned the nurse’s actions through her Instagram account, describing the incident as unacceptable and intolerable.
She praised (PO-RALG)’s swift response and pledged continued cooperation to ensure the provision of quality healthcare services from the primary level (dispensaries, health centers, and district hospitals) to the national level (regional and zonal referral hospitals and national hospitals).
The incident that has sparked widespread concern over healthcare standards in Tanzania, a nurse at Basanza Dispensary in Uvinza has been suspended following allegations of neglect during a delivery. Prisca Makenzi, a 17-year-old mother, reportedly gave birth without assistance, raising serious questions about the state of maternal care in the country.
This case adds to a troubling pattern of healthcare scandals in Tanzania. On November 7, 2018, a doctor and four nurses at Nyamagana District Hospital in Mwanza were suspended after an infant died during birth.
Nyamagana District Commissioner Phillis Nyimbi cited negligence and dishonesty among the hospital staff, including allegations of bribery and failure to use the mandated electronic payment system, which compromised the care of pregnant women.
The mother of the deceased infant at Nyamagana recounted how her pleas for assistance were ignored, forcing fellow patients to help with the delivery. The complications led to the infant’s death.
District Medical Officer Juma Mpanga revealed alarming statistics, with 56 mothers and over 500 infants dying during birth in the area since January, highlighting the critical deficiencies in maternal care.
Minister of State in the President’s Office for Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG), Mohamed Mchengerwa, emphasized the importance of adhering to professional ethics. “I will not hesitate to take action against any employee violating public service standards and ethics,” he declared.
Health Minister Ummy Mwalimu also condemned the nurse’s actions via Instagram, calling the incident unacceptable and intolerable. She commended PO-RALG’s swift response and pledged ongoing efforts to ensure quality healthcare services.
These cases highlight the urgent need for systemic reforms and stringent enforcement of professional ethics among healthcare providers. Government and healthcare authorities must collaborate to rebuild public trust and ensure thorough investigations and appropriate actions in cases of neglect.
“We are committed to ensuring that health workers adhere to professionalism,” said District Medical Officer Juma Mpanga, reflecting a broader commitment to improving maternal care standards across Tanzania.
The incidents of pregnant women dying during childbirth have been increasing daily in Tanzania. Photo: courtesy.
In a January 2024 report, Unicef revealed alarming disparities in maternal and neonatal healthcare across Tanzania, emphasizing urgent needs for reform. The neonatal mortality rate (NMR) is 19 deaths per 1,000 live births nationally, but rises to 24 in rural areas and 43 in urban centers, illustrating a critical urban-rural gap.
“Access to essential maternal healthcare remains uneven, with only 45% of rural women receiving adequate antenatal care,” stated a Unicef spokesperson, urging targeted interventions to bridge disparities. Skilled attendance at rural births is 55%, contrasting sharply with 87% in urban areas, exacerbating risks during childbirth.
“Economic disparities persist, affecting healthcare access,” remarked the report. Among the poorest households, only 42% have skilled attendants during delivery, compared to 95% among the wealthiest. Postnatal care within 2 days varies widely, from 27% in the poorest households to 66% in the richest.
“Effective healthcare infrastructure is crucial,” emphasized Unicef, citing birth asphyxia (29.3%), prematurity (24.7%), and sepsis (19.7%) as leading causes of neonatal deaths. The report calls for prioritized investments in healthcare to mitigate risks and ensure equitable care nationwide.
The recurring incidents of maternal and neonatal deaths underline a systemic crisis, demanding decisive reforms and strict accountability measures within Tanzania’s healthcare sector.
“The government’s commitment to upholding professional standards must translate into tangible improvements,” Unicef urged, stressing the urgency for comprehensive reforms to ensure safe and dignified childbirth for every mother.
Without swift and concerted efforts to strengthen healthcare systems and implement reforms, vulnerable populations will continue to face preventable risks, hindering progress toward sustainable development goals. Unicef calls on Tanzania to prioritize these reforms to safeguard maternal and neonatal health effectively and ensure equitable healthcare access nationwide.
