A New Beginning for Maternal Health at Kamanga Health Centre
We are thrilled to announce that construction has officially begun on Phase 1 of our new Maternity Ward at Kamanga Health Centre in Tanzania.
This is more than just a new building; it is a bold step toward equity, dignity, and safer births for women across our community.
For years, our existing maternity unit has been operating beyond capacity, with over 50 deliveries every month. In a region where 11,000 women die every year during childbirth - that’s one woman every 47 minutes - this expansion could not be more urgent.
What Phase 1 Includes
The new ward will feature:
6 delivery beds
10 post-natal beds
4 post-caesarean beds
3 pre-natal beds
2 premature beds
Separate toilets and shower facilities for new mothers
This upgrade will allow us to free up critical space in the rest of the hospital and improve the overall care provided to all patients.
While Phase 2, the operating theatre, is yet to be funded, this first phase already represents a massive leap in capacity, privacy, and quality of care.
Why It Matters
Our hospital is the only health facility in the area servicing nearly 35,000 residents, yet women often arrive in active labour due to transportation challenges or restrictive policies. With the expanded space and specialised beds, we can now welcome these women earlier and with greater care and dignity.
This project is also deeply aligned with our SMILE initiative (Sustainable Maternal and Infant Lifesaving Endeavours), which launched in early 2025. Together, they form a holistic strategy to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality and improve health outcomes for entire families.
Let’s Make It Fully Operational
While construction is funded, we are actively seeking support to equip the new maternity ward. Our goal is to ship high-quality second-hand hospital equipment from Australia and the USA—including beds, monitors, and essential birthing equipment.
We are also replacing outdated gear in our existing wings to ensure all mothers receive the care they deserve.
If you or your company would like to be part of this life-saving milestone, we would love to hear from you.
📩 Email: nina@cedarfoundation.org
🌍 Learn more: australiaforcedartanzania.org
What’s Next?
🧗 In September 2026, our team and supporters will climb Mount Kilimanjaro to raise funds for solar power installation at the new maternity ward. Stay tuned for how you can support, or even join, the adventure.
Thank you for your support,
Nina and the Cedar Team