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Dr Marina Njelekela Conferred The Martin Luther King, Jr. Drum Major for Justice Award, 2010 |
 US Ambassador Alfonso E. Lenhardt (R) presents the Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. Drum Major for Justice Award for 2010 to Dr Marina Alois Njelekela.
US Ambassador Alfonso E. Lenhardt (R) presents the Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. Drum Major for Justice Award for 2010 to Dr Marina Alois Njelekela. Dr Njelekela is a Lecturer at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) and the Chairperson, Medical Women Association of Tanzania (MEWATA). She has led MEWATA for five years as its Chairperson.
The US Embassy in Tanzania yesterday (January 27th, 2010) happily honoured Dr Marina Alois Njelekela with the Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. Drum Major for Justice Award for 2010 for her efforts to improve women’s access to health care services.
The award was presented to Dr Njelekela by the US Ambassador to Tanzania, Alfonso Lenhardt, at the Embassy’s premises and the occasion was graced with wonderful songs by the Kijitonyama Youth Choir.
Under Dr Njelekela’s leadership, MEWATA has endeavored to reduce significantly the number of women dying of breast cancer, the number of women and babies dying during childbirth, as well as to reduce the number of victims of gender violence.
The Ambassador acknowledged Dr Njelekela’s work and presented to her the award: “Dr Marina Njelekela, it is my honour to present to you the 2010 Dr Martin Luther King Drum Major for Justice Award for your successful efforts to advance equality in health care for all Tanzanians. Your focus on improving access to health care makes you a leader in the fight for women’s equality,” he noted.
He added that the National Breast Cancer Awareness Campaigns she spearheaded has screened tens of thousands of women, and has already diagnosed more than 150 - many of whom are undergoing treatment.
Without her campaign’s intervention, many of these cancers would have gone undiagnosed and untreated, explained the Ambassador.
MEWATA’S provision of free medical care has empowered women to discuss health issues openly and to seek early medical intervention for diseases affecting them. Dr Njelekela advocates for more recognition of maternal health in the national health agenda, and for improved provisions for family planning and cervical cancer diagnosis and treatment.
“Improving women, Youth and Children’s health in Tanzania” |
