The Women of Ulanga

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Monaisha's interview and meet others in her community.  Share this video with three friends and encourage others to advocate for women in communities like Ulanga.

On a hot and humid day in rural Tanzania, Monaisha sits on a bench with her sleeping baby, Ramla, on her chest. The crowded prenatal clinic is abuzz with mothers waiting, crying babies on their laps. All three of Monaisha’s babies were born here—a rarity in Tanzania. After Ramla was born, Monaisha swallowed three tablets of misoprostol, a generic medicine that prevents excessive bleeding after childbirth, or postpartum hemorrhage. This condition takes thousands of mothers’ lives in her country every year. After prenatal counseling, Monaisha understood her risk and the importance of getting to the clinic to deliver, but points out that most of the women waiting with her at the clinic live in a neighboring village. Monaisha laments the distances women must travel when vehicles are scarce. When labor begins, women must walk and many will not make it to a clinic in time. She knows mothers who have delivered on the roadside; not all have survived. Through VSI’s program, the clinic provides women with the opportunity to protect themselves from bleeding—wherever they deliver. In a country where over 90% of pregnant mothers receive prenatal care, distributing misoprostol tablets at the clinic to use later is a safe solution for expectant mothers. Knowing the tablets’ benefits firsthand, Monaisha shared, “Since misoprostol came into my community, we have not seen a mother die. It will be very important to have in the health facility.”

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To view the full electronic copy of VSI's 2009/10 Biennial Report, click here.

23.2 million

Female population of Tanzania

3,000 women

Die each year due to excessive bleeding after childbirth in Tanzania

3 tablets

Life-saving dose of misoprostol

155,150

Number of misoprostol tablets VSI donated in Tanzania in 2009-10

51,716

Births protected with misoprostol as a result of VSI's project