International Day of the African Child
Day of the African Child is celebrated on the 16th of June every year, as an advocacy tool to encourage people around the world to celebrate the progress the African continent has made toward children’s rights, while also recognizing the improvements still needed to ensure that children across the continent lead happy and healthy lives.
For over 20 years, FAME has invested in reproductive, maternal, and child healthcare, and has established its reputation as an institution committed to the well-being of newborns, children, and families. FAME’s culture has helped create a child-friendly environment, and today we celebrate the children born here and the young people who come through our doors every day!
FAME firmly believes that children have a right to basic health care irrespective of their place of birth, and we are committed to providing quality patient-centered care for the children in our catchment area.
Working with underserved populations in the most rural parts of Tanzania, FAME faces unique challenges serving children in these often vulnerable and fragile contexts. This year we have faced environmental challenges, such as drought, which can cause deteriorating physical health of growing children. We highlight some of these cases in our Journal story “The Many Faces and Cases of Child Malnutrition at FAME”.
FAME has supported children, in partnership with the Tanzanian Government, through our under-5 vaccination program. In 2021, we delivered 693 babies at FAME. We can’t wait to see these kids grow up and are committed to giving them a healthy start and remaining by their side as they grow. Additionally, in the first quarter of this year, FAME vaccinated 166 children through our under-5 vaccine program. Vaccines are provided to FAME by the Tanzanian Government and include BCG to protect against tuberculosis, polio vaccines, PCV to protect against pneumonia, rotavirus vaccine, and pentavalent vaccine to protect against life-threatening diseases such as diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, hepatitis B and Hib.
Additionally, FAME is on the frontlines performing lifesaving vaccinations and interventions as highlighted in our April newsletter story “A Rabies Diagnosis and a Race Against the Clock to Save Lives” as well as our recent partnership with the Government of Tanzania on its Wild Polio door-to-door nationwide vaccination drive for children under 5.
Due to this growth in numbers and in programs, FAME seeks to further establish its competence in pediatric medicine in order to address the challenges that children, mothers, and families face.
This year, FAME is planning to build on its child-friendly environment and establish dedicated rooms in our outpatient ward which are both equipped and decorated for children. Additionally, we are thrilled to announce that we will have a pediatrician with a specialty in infectious diseases joining FAME from the US to spend 12 months training FAME doctors, and help them further establish our pediatric program.
By 2027, FAME plans to have a dedicated pediatric team running pediatric programs around wellness and growth tracking, early intervention and prevention. FAME will conduct parent education in the Reproductive and Child Health clinic (RCH) as well as in the community through outreach programs at schools.
Today is a day to celebrate the wonderful children in our lives and our communities, and also reflect on what is needed to ensure that children around the world are able to lead happy and healthy lives. If you are feeling inspired to support FAME and its work to strengthen pediatric care, visit this link to donate and get involved!
*While the patient’s name has been changed to protect privacy, permission was secured to share their photos and story with FAME supporters and to raise awareness of available medical care at FAME Medical