Minnesota-Ilula Medical conference 1/11-1/12

The group i came to Tanzania with sponsors a medical conference for regional healthcare workers. Our MN team along with .ocal doctors & nurses present on topics requested by attendees the previous year. 

Each hospital that sends a delegation then chooses a quality improvement measure to focus on and begins developing a project for their site before they leave the conference. The meeting is a great way for attendees to gain new knowledge & skills and network with other providers in the area. 

In researching my presentations, I learned  that the maternal mortality ratio (maternal deaths per 100,000 live births) has decreased from 760  in 2000 to 238 in 2020. From one of the other speakers I learned it further decreased in 2022 to 104! The global goal is to be < 70 by 2030. Medical care in TZ remains very resource limited, but just by this one number (MMR) you can see they have made HUGE progress.  This progress comes from their own initiative & investments but also from groups like Shoulder to Shoulder who support education & development of the healthcare system. 

After the  conference, the Ilula & MN team went to dinner at a swank pizza place called Mama Iringa's. Great food & great conversation filled the evening.