cited. MKUKUTA and MKUZA, strategize matters relating to children survival and development, which aims at improving quality of life and their social wellbeing. MKUKUTA also seeks to improve maternal newborn and child health (MNCH) as one of its major objectives. The Primary Health Service Development Programme (PHSDP/MMAM 2007-2017) addresses the crucial issue of equity by calling for an increase in the coverage and quality of primary health care services for communities living in rural and remote areas. The National RCH Policy guideline 2015, The National Guideline on Essential Reproductive and Child Health Interventions in Tanzania 2003, Reproductive and Child Health Strategy (2005-2010), National Population Policy 1992, 2007 and The Health Sector Strategic Plan IV 2016-2020 (HSSP IV) also address importance of reducing children morbidity and mortality. MKUKUTA and MKUZA strive to ensure food and nutrition security and promoting issues relating to human rights, national and personal security. There is a notable progress in child survival in relation to access to health services where Health facilities (public and private) has increased from 5,379 in 2007 to 8,215 in 2013/14 (Tanzania Health Management Information System reports). Moreover, recruitment and posting of professional Health Personnel has increased from 3,665 in 2007 to 6,536 in 2013. However, rural and remote areas still face major shortages with many primary health facilities not having enough qualified staff 122. The State Party has developed National Nutrition Strategy (July 2011/12 – June 2015/16) that was launched by Honourable Prime Minister of Tanzania, Mizengo Pinda on 20th September 2010. The strategy aims at improving access to high-impact, high quality nutritional services. District nutrition Officers in all districts have been trained on nutrition aspects in 2014/2015.52 Trends shows there is decline of all forms of malnutrition in children under 5 years since 2010. Prevalence of underweight among children less than 5years has decreased from 15.8% in 2010(TDHS) to 13.4% (Nutritional Survey SMART 2014). In the same age group, Chronic Malnutrition/Stunting has decreased from 42% in 2010(TDHS) to 34.7% (NSS 2014).53 Vitamin A supplementation has increased in Tanzania Mainland from 61% (TDHS2010) to 72.2% (NSS 2014). While in Zanzibar Vitamin A supplementation has declined from 79% (TDHS2010) to 58.2% (NSS 2014) 123. The State Party has made efforts to improving the right to life and survival, where by Tanzania is among the countries that have achieved the MDG 4, reducing the U5 mortality rate (U5MR) from 166/ 1,000 live births in 1990 to 81 per 1,000 in 2010 (TDHS, 2010) and meeting the target of 54 per 1,000 live births in 2012 according to the UN estimates of 2013 (UN Inter Agency Group on Child Mortality Estimate, September 2013). Despite achieving the MDG4, Tanzania still has a very high number of under-fives dying every year, 98,000 per year. Zonal disparities in achieving the MDG 4 were noted, with the Lake and Southern highland zones having U5MR of > 100 per 1,000 live births whereas Northern zone had the lowest (54 per 1,000 live births (TDHS, 2010). Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) has declined from 68 in 2004/05 to 51 in 2010 and 45 per 1000 live births in 2013. By 2014, the country was able to further reduce IMR to 38 per 1,000 live births, surpassing the target of 46 deaths /1000 live births by 2015 (TDHS, 2010; UN Inter Agency Child Mortality Estimates 2013; Countdown Report, 2014). 124. Progress in reducing preventable newborn deaths has been slow compared to U5MR and IMR. Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) had declined from 32 per 1000 live births in 2004/05 to 26 per 1000 live births in 2010 and 21 neonatal deaths per 1,000 live births in 2013 (TDHS, 2004/05 &2010; Countdown to 2015 Report, 2014). Neonatal deaths contribute to 40% of U5 deaths. Hence progress in averting neonatal deaths is critical in overall reduction of U5MR. However, provision of preventive measures such as vaccination, vitamin A supplementation campaigns and malaria control have contributed to such progress. In order to promote survival and development to the children , the state party has enacted the Law of Child Act in 2009 as well as it has managed to reduce the infant rate from 51 death per 1000 in 2010 to 46 death per 1000 in 2012 and under five mortality rate from 81per 1000 in 2010 to 66 per 1000 in 2012( TDHS 2010, Census 2012). 52 53 TFNC (2014) SBCC Strategy. NSS - National Smart Survey. 35