FAME launched a Maternal and Newborn Health program in late 2014. FAME also started a prenatal program, family planning services and an under-five vaccination program – all offered through our Reproductive & Child Health (RCH) Clinic. With a culture of patient-centered care and life-long learning, FAME recruited overseas specialist volunteers and partnered with Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center to roll out basic training in emergency obstetrics.

At the same time, it was essential to raise awareness in our community about these new services, the complications of pregnancy, and the benefits of a facility-based delivery. In 2015, FAME began building a network of Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) and dispensaries throughout the Karatu and Ngorongoro districts. These variables, combined with the resources needed to handle obstetrical emergencies, have contributed to the rapid growth of our maternal, prenatal and reproductive health services.

Today, FAME offers comprehensive Maternal and Child Health services and serves as a referral destination for high-risk pregnancies. In 2021, the FAME team delivered 692 babies. Our medical team continues to participate in ongoing courses in Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics (ALSO), Structured Operatives in Obstetrics (SOO), Helping Babies Breathe (HBB) and Advanced Nursing in Obstetrics. With a grade of 10/10 from the Regional Blood Bank (RBB) in Moshi, the FAME laboratory is able to procure blood from the RBB and to collect, screen, cross-match & deliver blood in emergency situations.

In 2019, FAME opened a new 24-bed Maternity Center with a Level 2 Nursery, operating room, and 4 delivery rooms. With 26 percent of women delivering at FAME now coming from outside our district, FAME seeks to broaden its reach while maintaining a high standard of care across departments.