Report January – March 2023

The Medical Women Association of Tanzania (MEWATA) had 2 major activities in January to March 2023, namely the Annual General Meeting and a Scientific Conference. The Annual General Meeting gathered 150 female doctors from all over the country to discuss various MEWATA issues with the main agenda on how to establish a Well Women Center – a specialized clinic specifically to tackle women’s health issues. Currently the association has the design of the building, and we are now waiting for the fundraising plan to start raising funds to start construction.

Fig 1. Some of the MEWATA members in a group picture during 2023 AGM

Fig 1. Some of the MEWATA members in a group picture during 2023 AGM

The Scientific Conference was conducted the day before the Annual General Meeting. It brought together different scientists and public health experts to discuss various priority issues in the country. The   theme   of   the   Scientific   Symposium   was “Addressing          Non-Communicable Diseases: Focus on Reproductive System Cancers and Mental   Health.”   The Annual Scientific Conference explored key thematic areas including but not limited to: Overview of the burden of Perinatal Mental health in Tanzania, Overview of Breast Cancer in Tanzania, Overview of Cervical cancer in Tanzania and HPV vaccine.

Apart from the above, MEWATA also continued to provide technical expertise to the Ministry of Health specifically in reducing zero dose coverage among children below five years.

In the future MEWATA is planning to complete the review of the strategic plan and the constitution.