OUR PROGRAMMES
MWADETA OPERATES WITH SIX MAIN PROGRAMMATIC AREAS:
At Mwanangu Development Tanzania (MWADETA), we are committed to improving the lives of children living with hydrocephalus and spina bifida across Tanzania.
Our programs focus on capacity building, prevention, advocacy, and access to essential medical services, ensuring that children receive quality care close to their homes and communities.
- Building Capacity in Regional Referral Hospitals (RRHs)
MWADETA works to strengthen Regional Referral Hospitals across Tanzania to improve specialized neurosurgical and pediatric care for children with hydrocephalus and spina bifida.
Key Activities:
- Training healthcare providers in diagnosis and management
- Strengthening neurosurgical and pediatric units
- Supporting clinical mentorship and continuous professional development
- Improving infection prevention and surgical safety standards
- Facilitating access to essential surgical equipment and supplies
Goal:
To ensure that high-quality specialized treatment is available within Tanzania, reducing referrals abroad and preventing avoidable deaths and disability.
2. Capacity Building for Public Schools
Children with hydrocephalus and spina bifida face challenges in accessing inclusive education. MWADETA supports public schools to create safe and supportive learning environments.
Key Activities:
- Training teachers on inclusive education practices
- Awareness programs for school communities
- Improving school sanitation facilities for children with mobility challenges
- Supporting individualized learning approaches
- Promoting anti-stigma and disability awareness campaigns
Goal:
To ensure that every child with hydrocephalus and spina bifida has access to quality education without discrimination.
3. Training District-Level Hospitals
Many families live far from referral hospitals. MWADETA strengthens district hospitals to provide basic and follow-up care.
Key Activities:
- Training healthcare workers in:
- Basic clinic management
- Clean Intermittent Catheterization (CIC)
- Infection prevention and wound care
- Bowel management support
- Establishing follow-up systems closer to communities
- Supporting early identification and referral systems
Goal:
To decentralize services and bring care closer to children’s homes and villages.
4. Advocacy and Policy Engagement
MWADETA actively advocates at national and local levels to ensure children with hydrocephalus and spina bifida are included in government health and disability policies.
Key Activities:
- Engagement with the Ministry of Health and Local Government Authorities (LGAs)
- Policy dialogue and stakeholder meetings
- Promoting disability-inclusive health financing
- Advocating for inclusion in national insurance schemes
- Supporting development of national guidelines
Goal:
To influence policy and secure sustainable government commitment to special needs services.
5. Prevention Through Folic Acid and Food Fortification Advocacy
Prevention is critical. Many neural tube defects can be prevented through proper nutrition.
Key Activities:
- Community awareness campaigns on folic acid supplementation
- Advocacy for fortified maize flour and staple foods
- Collaboration with millers to strengthen fortification practices
- Public education programs targeting women of reproductive age
- Engagement with regulatory authorities on food fortification compliance
Goal:
To reduce the incidence of neural tube defects in Tanzania.
6. Access to Essential Medical Devices
Children require lifelong medical support. MWADETA works to improve access to critical medical supplies.
Key Focus Areas:
- VP shunts for hydrocephalus treatment
- Catheters for Clean Intermittent Catheterization (CIC)
- Bowel washout supplies
- Mobility support devices where possible
Goal:
To ensure continuous availability of life-saving and life-supporting medical devices at affordable cost.
