Africa-Press – Tanzania. MINISTER for Constitution and Legal Affairs, Ambassador Dr Pindi Chana, has issued a strong call for parents to choose their children’s names before birth to expedite the registration and issuance of birth certificates.
Dr Chana made the call over the weekend during a one-day visit to observe the registration process and issuance of birth certificates to children under the age of five at St. Gemma Hospital, Makole Health Centre, and Kikuyu Dispensary in the Capital City.
The exercise is coordinated by the Registration Insolvency and Trusteeship Agency (RITA). “Today, I have presented birth certificates to some mothers who have safely delivered and been discharged to go home,” she said, explaining the importance of choosing names for children before birth.
“I urge parents to establish a practice of preparing their child’s name in advance so they can be registered immediately after birth and receive a certificate, as it is a right for every Tanzanian,” the minister emphasised.
Dr Chana also called on various public and private institutions to accept these hand-filled certificates issued to children under the age of five who are registered at Ward Executive Offices and health centres nationwide, as these certificates are legitimate and have the same status as those issued by computer.
“I urge public and private institutions to accept these hand-filled certificates for providing services to citizens,” she said. She encouraged citizens to take advantage of this free countrywide service, noting that it greatly contributes to accessing various services, including medical care through health insurance, education, and later employment.
“I would like to commend RITA for the significant work you are doing, including ensuring that every Tanzanian gets his or her birth certificate,” Dr Chana remarked.
The minister expressed confidence that this important work was going well with efficiency and that RITA should keep the ball rolling.
The Acting Medical Officer in Charge at Makole Health Centre, Dr Flora Mwakalago, reported that since the introduction of birth registration services for children under five in 2019, more than 550-600 newborns were delivered each month, with 200-250 of them receiving birth certificates.
“From July 2023 to June 2024, we have already registered and issued birth certificates to over 2,750 children, which is a commendable result for our centre,” said Dr Mwakalago. Additionally, Dr Azania Silliah, the Medical Officer in Charge at Kikuyu Dispensary, mentioned that Kikuyu North Ward has a total population of 14,654, including 9,250 women, with 705 being pregnant.
“From July last year (2023) to June (2024), we have registered and issued certificates to over 642 children, which is equivalent to 92 percent,” Dr Silliah explained.
One of the parents who received a certificate, Ms Halima Abdallah, expressed her gratitude to the government for the services, including the improvement and construction of health facilities.
She said that the availability of this free countrywide service has been commendable, as every child receives a birth certificate immediately after birth, thus saving costs that would otherwise be spent while obtaining one from RITA offices.
Earlier, RITA Chief Executive Officer Frank Kanyusi said his agency was well prepared to ensure that all children under five years get their certificates without any delay.
“We are assuring the honourable Minister that since the exercise started last year, many children have been registered countrywide and given free of charge certificates,” Mr Kanyusi said, thanking the government and development partners for the support.
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