PharmAccess Foundation, Tanzania

Project Partners: PharmAccess Foundation

Location: Mbulu and Hanang districts in Manyara Region, Tanzania

Access to safe drinking water is a fundamental human right, yet millions of people across the globe are denied this essential resource. In Tanzania, over 17 million people lack access to safe water sources, putting pregnant women and children at risk of water-borne diseases. However, a new project by PharmAccess Foundation and 4Life Solutions is making a difference in the Manyara Region of Tanzania.

The project, anchored in the MomCare program by PharmAccess, aims to improve access to safe drinking water for households in need. The SaWa Bag, a specially designed water purification bag, is distributed to pregnant mothers seeking prenatal care in 20 health facilities in Mbulu and Hanang districts in Manyara Region. Along with the distribution of the SaWa Bags, end-user education is being conducted by midwives at the point of distribution to ensure that families know how to use the bags effectively.

The impact of this project is already being felt in the targeted districts. By providing safe drinking water, the project reduces waterborne diseases and improves women’s and children’s health. The end-user education being conducted by midwives is helping to raise awareness about the importance of safe drinking water and empowering families to take charge of their health.

But the benefits of the project don’t end there. By reducing the need to gather firewood to boil water, the project is helping to reduce deforestation in the targeted districts. This is a critical step in the fight against climate change and ensuring a sustainable future for all.

For the families receiving the SaWa Bags, this project is a lifeline. It means they no longer worry about whether their drinking water is safe. It means that they can focus on staying healthy and thriving. It means they have agency over their own and children’s lives.

Access to safe drinking water should not be a privilege but a right. Thanks to projects like this, we are one step closer to making that a reality for all.

Key Impact Findings

The project has provided households in the targeted regions with safe drinking water, contributing to the achievement of several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

• By providing households with safe drinking water through the SaWa Bag, the project contributes to SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation.
• Improving the microbial drinking water quality and health among women and their babies aligns with SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being. This can help reduce infant and maternal mortality rates and significant health challenges in the targeted regions. The project emphasizes end-user education conducted by midwives at the point of distribution. This approach can help increase awareness about the importance of safe drinking water and improve the health of the communities in the targeted districts.
• Additionally, reducing deforestation in the targeted districts through the project supports SDG 13: Climate Action.