Unguja. The opposition party ACT-Wazalendo in Zanzibar is urging the complete withdrawal of the newly introduced mandatory travel insurance policy, set to take effect in three weeks.
In an interview with The Citizen, ACT-Wazalendo’s Vice Chairman, Ismail Jussa Ladhu, criticised the policy for lacking adequate stakeholder engagement and for potentially harming Zanzibar’s tourism industry.
“In my view, which reflects ACT-Wazalendo’s stance, this travel policy should be withdrawn due to its likely negative impact on the tourism sector,” Mr Jussa stated. “The policy, as it stands, will make Zanzibar a very expensive destination and has already received negative coverage in international media.”
Mr Jussa expressed concern that the policy would deter tourists, who often choose destinations based on recommendations and current perceptions.
He noted that there has already been backlash from tourism stakeholders dissatisfied with how the policy was implemented.
He added that Zanzibar’s tourism sector, which has been a crucial part of the island’s economy for the past 30 years, remains sensitive, as evidenced by the downturn during the pandemic.
He also pointed out that Zanzibar is not the only East African or Indian Ocean destination vying for visitors.
Mr Jussa criticised the authorities’ comparisons of Zanzibar’s situation to that of other markets, arguing that the local services and infrastructure do not match those of competing destinations.
He said, “You cannot compare the services in Zanzibar to those in Qatar, especially when our services are monopolistic and more expensive. The government seems focused on revenue collection without considering the broader implications.”
He further stated that reconsidering the policy in light of its negative reviews would demonstrate the government’s willingness to listen to diverse opinions.
He emphasized that Zanzibar is already an expensive destination, and many visitors come with their own travel insurance from their home countries.
“It’s as if we’re asking visitors to pay for the same thing twice,” Mr Jussa added. “Our local health services, both private and public, face similar challenges, often requiring people to seek treatment in Dar es Salaam.”
Mr Jussa also highlighted concerns for the Zanzibar and Tanzanian diaspora, whose remittances are vital to many families on the island. Unlike tourists, diaspora members usually stay with relatives, contributing to the local economy. He noted that discussions about supporting the diaspora have been insufficient.
Additionally, there are reports that Western countries may retaliate by increasing visa fees for Tanzanians traveling to the EU, Britain, and the US.
Starting October 1, all visitors to Zanzibar will be required to purchase a mandatory travel insurance policy costing $44 at the point of entry, regardless of existing coverage from their home country.
In July, Zanzibar Finance Minister, Dr Saada Mkuya Salum told The Citizen that the new policy aims to improve visitor services by covering health, baggage loss, accidents, emergency evacuation, passport loss, and repatriation in case of death.
The insurance will be provided by the government-owned Zanzibar Insurance Corporation and will not consider any existing travel insurance policies. Prior to this, travel insurance was not mandatory in Tanzania or other East African countries.
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Tanzania Confirms Second Marburg Outbreak After WHO Chief Visit
Dar es Salaam — Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has declared an outbreak of Marburg virus, confirming a single case in the northwestern region of Kagera after a meeting with WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
The confirmation follows days of speculation about a possible outbreak in the region, after the WHO reported a number of deaths suspected to be linked to the highly infectious disease.
While Tanzania’s Ministry of Health declared last week that all suspected cases had tested negative for Marburg, the WHO called for additional testing at international reference laboratories.
“We never know when an outbreak might occur in a neighbouring nation. So we ensure infection prevention control assessments at every point of care as routine as a morning greeting at our workplaces.”Amelia Clemence, public health researcher
Subsequent laboratory tests conducted at Kagera’s Kabaile Mobile Laboratory and confirmed in Dar es Salaam identified one positive case, while 25 other suspected cases tested negative, the president told a press conference in Dodoma, in the east of the country today (Monday).
“The epicentre has now shifted to Biharamulo district of Kagera,” she told the press conference, distinguishing this outbreak from the previous one centred in Bukoba district.
Tedros said the WHO would release US$3 million from its emergencies contingency fund to support efforts to contain the outbreak.
Health authorities stepped up surveillance and deployed emergency response teams after the WHO raised the alarm about nine suspected cases in the region, including eight deaths.
The suspected cases displayed symptoms consistent with Marburg infection, including headache, high fever, diarrhoea, and haemorrhagic complications, according to the WHO’s alert to member countries on 14 January. The organisation noted a case fatality rate of 89 per cent among the suspected cases.
“We appreciate the swift attention accorded by the WHO,” Hassan said.
She said her administration immediately investigated the WHO’s alert.
“The government took several measures, including the investigation of suspected individuals and the deployment of emergency response teams,” she added.
Cross-border transmission
The emergence of this case in a region that experienced Tanzania’s first-ever Marburg outbreak in March 2023 has raised concerns about cross-border transmission, particularly following Rwanda’s recent outbreak that infected 66 people and killed 15 before being declared over in December 2024.
The situation is particularly critical given Kagera’s position as a transport hub connecting four East African nations.
Amelia Clemence, a public health researcher working in the region, says constant vigilance is required.
“We never know when an outbreak might occur in a neighbouring nation. So we ensure infection prevention control assessments at every point of care as routine as a morning greeting at our workplaces.”
The Kagera region’s ecosystem, home to fruit bats that serve as natural reservoirs for the Marburg virus, adds another layer of complexity to disease surveillance efforts.
The virus, closely related to Ebola, spreads through contact with bodily fluids and can cause severe haemorrhagic fever.
Transparency urged
Elizabeth Sanga, shadow minister of health for Tanzania’s ACT Wazalendo opposition party, says greater transparency would help guide public health measures.
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“This could have helped to guide those who are traveling to the affected region to be more vigilant and prevent the risk of further spread,” she said.
WHO regional director for Africa Matshidiso Moeti says early notification of investigation outcomes is important.
“We stand ready to support the government in its efforts to investigate and ensure that measures are in place for an effective and rapid response,” she said, noting that existing national capacities built from previous health emergencies could be quickly mobilised.
The situation coincides with leadership changes in Tanzania’s Ministry of Health, with both the chief medical officer and permanent secretary being replaced.
This piece was produced by SciDev.Net’s Sub-Saharan Africa English desk.
Source: allafrica.com
Zanzibar Airports Authority enforces Dnata monopoly
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Britam half-year net profit hits Sh2bn on higher investment income
Insurer and financial services provider Britam posted a 22.5 percent jump in net earnings for the half-year ended June 2024, to Sh2 billion, buoyed by increased investment income.
The rise in half-year net profit from Sh1.64 billion posted in a similar period last year came on the back of net investment income rising 2.5 times to Sh13.27 billion from Sh5.3 billion.
“We are confident in the growth and performance trend that Britam has achieved, supported by its subsidiaries in Kenya and the region. Our business is expanding its revenue base while effectively managing costs,” Britam Chief Executive Officer Tom Gitogo said.
“Our customer-centric approach is fueling growth in our customer base and product uptake, particularly through micro-insurance, partnerships, and digital channels.”
The investment income growth was fueled by interest and dividend income rising 34 percent to Sh9.1 billion, which the insurer attributed to growth in revenue and the gains from the realignment of the group’s investment portfolio.
Britam also booked a Sh3.79 billion gain on financial assets at a fair value, compared with a Sh1.8 billion loss posted in a similar period last year.
The increased investment income helped offset the 12.7 percent decline in net insurance service result to Sh2.13 billion in the wake of claims paid out rising at a faster pace than that of premiums received.
Britam said insurance revenue, which is money from written premiums, increased to Sh17.8 billion from Sh16.6 billion, primarily driven by growth in the Kenya insurance business and regional general insurance businesses, which contributed 30 percent of the revenue.
The group has a presence in seven countries in Africa namely Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan, Mozambique, and Malawi.
Britam’s insurance service expense hit Sh13.6 billion from Sh11.3 billion, while net insurance finance expenses rose 2.6 times to Sh12.3 billion during the same period.
“Net insurance finance expenses increased mainly due to growth in interest cost for the deposit administration business driven by better investment performance. This has also been impacted by a decline in the yield curve, which has led to an increase in the insurance contract liabilities. The increase has been offset by a matching increase in fair value gain on assets,” said Britam.
Britam’s growth in profit is in line with that of other Nairobi Securities Exchange-listed insurers, which have seen a rise in profits.
Jubilee Holdings net profit in the six months increased by 22.7 percent to Sh2.5 billion on increased income from insurance, helping the insurer maintain Sh2 per share interim dividend.
CIC Insurance Group posted a 0.64 percent rise in net profit to Sh709.99 million in the same period as net earnings of Liberty Kenya nearly tripled to Sh632 million from Sh213 million, while Sanlam Kenya emerged from a loss to post a Sh282.2 million net profit.
