In honor of Women’s History Month, I am blogging about women around the world who are helping transform the lives of those in their communities. My first spotlight is on Dr. Mary Mwanyika-Sando who spearheaded improvements in maternal and child health programs in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. As the Medical Monitor for the HIV/AIDS Collaborative project by Muhimbili University, Dar es Salaam City Council and Harvard School of Public Health (MDH), she provides technical support to about 120 program physicians in 22 sites, coordinating all clinical activities as well as identifying gaps in and facilitating in various trainings. Through her work, Dr. Mwanyika-Sando has helped provide dozens of clinics with anti-retroviral treatment, which has greatly helped reduce the rate of mother-to-child HIV transmission in the community.
According to Dr. Mwanyika-Sando involving the women patients themselves in their own care and treatment is essential.
“I have learned that when a woman is educated about her and her family’s health, there is a ripple effect; first to her neighbours, then to her community, until the entire country is healthier and stronger.”
ACTBOLD.org 