Shortage of trained health workers is a major setback that frustrates efforts to improve the safety of pregnant women and newborns.

"A combination of trained health professionals with midwifery skills and working in a well-equipped environment is the most important intervention initiative necessary for promotion of safe pregnancy and childbirth and newborn babies," Mama Kikwete said.

When addressing delegates attending an international workshop on Wednesday, First Lady and WAMA Chairperson Mama Salma Kikwete said that availability of skilled health care is vital in improving the health of members of the public in a country generally.,

Because of the shortage of human resources in the health sector Mama Kikwete noted, some facilities are operating at about 30 per cent of the required capacity had there been enough skilled staff.

The situation gets much worse in lower level health facilities where dispensaries and health centres, which serve the majority of Tanzanians especially in rural areas, have a shortage of 65.6 per cent and 71.6 per cent respectively.

"This has a major impact on the quality of maternal, newborn and child care. Most health facilities in rural areas lack skilled medical attendants during child birth," Mama Kikwete said.

The International workshop, with the theme "Challenges in women's health, evidence based practices" is being held for the first time in Tanzania and Africa in general.

The First Lady appealed to the Association of Gynecologists and Obstetricians of Tanzania Association (AGOTA) to come up with feasible alternatives in the quest to reduce maternal and Neonatal morbidities and mortalities in the country.

"It is my sincere hope that the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) will increase ties with AGOTA and other development partners working in Tanzania, to help reduce maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality," she said.

The educational workshop organized by FIGO and (AGOTA) will be followed by FIGO's annual meeting on Thursday.

Speaking earlier, the FIGO president, Prof Gamal Serour, commended the top level political leadership for its commitment to accelerate efforts to improve women's health and eventually achieving the related Millennium Development Goals in the country.

He said FIGO acknowledges the substantial progress already made in the country to reduce maternal deaths from 714 in the year 2000 to 449 in 2008.

Prof Serour said FIGO is already negotiating with Pathfinder for funding that will be channelled for capacity building in AGOTA.

"This is to help them improve their efforts in the fight against maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity," he explained.

FIGO is a professional establishment that brings together 124 Obstetrical and Gynecological associations from all over the world. It has, for 50 years, been holding its annual meetings in London, in the United Kingdom.