ADDIS ABABA: Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been appointed the African Union Champion for Maternal, Child, and Reproductive Health.
The appointment, confirmed at the 39th African Union Summit, reflects Tanzania’s significant progress in maternal and child health and positions the country at the forefront of continental health reforms.
The announcement followed the 2025 Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) report, which highlighted both successes and challenges in health programmes across the continent.
President Samia’s appointment for a one-year term is seen as a strategic move to address these challenges and improve maternal care, child survival, and reproductive health across Africa.
In an exclusive interview with the AU, President Samia described the role as both an honour and a significant responsibility for Tanzania and Africa.
“This recognition reflects Tanzania’s ongoing efforts to safeguard the lives of mothers and children, but it is also a call to action for Africa to do more to protect its future generations,” she said.
The President outlined her priorities, which include strengthening domestic health financing, engaging communities in service delivery, and leveraging digital technology to improve health systems.
She also highlighted Tanzania’s M-Mama programme, which coordinates emergency transport for pregnant women, as a model to be scaled across the continent.
President Samia also pointed to broader health reforms, including investments in hospital infrastructure and maternal nutrition, which have contributed to a dramatic reduction in maternal mortality—from 556 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2015 to 104 in 2023.
As the AU Champion, President Samia’s role also emphasizes greater coordination among African governments, regional health bodies like Africa CDC, and international partners to strengthen health systems.
She aims to scale successful national programmes, such as health financing models and community engagement strategies, to make an even greater impact.
The President’s vision includes the creation of “labour rooms of celebration,” inspired by Tanzania’s initiative Tabasamu la Utu (“The Smile of Humanity”), ensuring that childbirth is a moment of life and joy.
Beyond maternal and child health, her focus will also include broader youth health, malaria prevention, nutrition, and reproductive rights—aligning with both the AU’s Agenda 2063 and the SDGs.
“This is our chance to embrace innovation, expand what works, and scale up solutions across Africa,” she said. “We must ensure that fewer mothers die, fewer children are lost, and that Africa’s future is one of health and prosperity.”