The Tanzania Buildings Census Report, published in March 2024, presents data that was carried out during the Population and Housing Census (PHC) in August 2022. It is considered to be the first Census of its kind and land use planners seem to be excited with the findings.
A Census is a complete process of counting the total population of an area or a jurisdiction, involving the systematic collection, recording, and calculation of information about its members. The process is used to gather demographic, economic, and other data about a population within a specific period. Current practice is for a National Census to be carried out every 5 or 10 years.
The information gathered often includes demographic characteristics (age, sex, household size, etc.), as well as economic and social factors like education, employment, income, disability and housing.
The ultimate goal of the census operation is to provide the government and other stakeholders with essential statistics on the socio-economic conditions of a population to aid in the preparation of economic and social programmes.
The first Census in Tanzania (M) is said to have been carried out in 1910, during the German era. However, the first scientific census took place in 1958. Censuses were subsequently carried out in 1967, 1978, 1988, 2002, 2012 and, 2022.
The earlier censuses were concerned with just population numbers and characteristics, but, the from 1967 census included data on housing.
The Tanzania census for the 2022 census round was carried out August 22-23, 2022. A lot of information was collected including (in alphabetical order): Aged adults, Agriculture, Assets, Birth certificates, Cognitive impairment, Cooking fuels, Disability, Domestic migration, Education, Electricity, Employment, Family composition, Family size, and Fertility
The other information was on Health status, Hearing loss, Household air pollution, Household deaths, Housing conditions, Housing materials, Injuries, International migration, Internet access, Land ownership, Lighting, Limited mobility, Literacy, Live births, Livestock, and Living conditions.
Yet, other information was collected on: Manufacturing, Marital status, Mass media, Maternal mortality, Medical equipment, Mental and behavioral disorders, Mining, Mortality, Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), Parental survival, Population, Refrigeration, Road traffic injuries, Sanitation, School enrollment, Sense organ diseases, Summary birth history, Telephones, Transportation, Violence, Vision loss, Waste disposal, and Water supply.
As can be gauged from the above list the information that is relevant to housing includes: housing conditions, housing materials, land ownership, electricity, sanitation, connection to water and waste disposal.
The information contained in the Buildings Census includes that on: total number, types, and use of buildings; plus number of units in a building; and building with an address.
The second set of information in on type of building and status of completion, occupation and use of the various types of buildings. Building materials used is reported upon as is the number of sleeping rooms and building condition.
The third set of information is on services to the buildings, including connection to electricity, water and sanitation; building accessibility and facilities for people living with disability (PWD).
The fourth set of information is building ownership and status of land use planning.
While the Report prides itself that Census data is the only reliable data on buildings in the country, some statistics need to be looked at carefully.
According to the data there are 14,348,372 buildings in Tanzania, 10,038,201 (70 percent) of which are in rural areas. That this coincides with the fact that 30 percent of the population in Tanzania is urban, creates room for interpretation. Buildings in rural areas are generally small compared to those in urban areas. Besides, many rural centres are semi-urban and fast becoming urban. So there is need to take this data with caution.
That 74.9 percent of all the buildings in the country have addresses is a reflection of the street-naming and building numbering campaign that was undertaken before the August 22-23 PHC, but, given that there has not been continuous updating, this proportion has possibly gone down by now.
The data shows that 94.4 percent of all buildings in the country are single storeyed; and that 5.1 percent of the buildings are at various stages of construction. This means that 94.9 percent of the buildings are complete.
This is doubtful. The majority of the population in Tanzania lives in incomplete buildings (houses). The Census Reports does not offer a definition of a building that is completed. This is a shortcoming. Without that definition the amount of work remaining to complete the buildings as well as the need for maintenance, or whether a building is fit for human habitation, remains unclear.
The Report shows that 91.4 percent of the buildings are used as residences (houses); and that those which are used for commercial, industrial and religious purposes are 5.2 percent.
If the use of the building was gathered from the people enumerated, who were in most cases found in their residences, the proportion of non-residential buildings could be under-counted.
That 72.6 percent of all buildings are accessible by road is doubtful unless the definition of a road includes footpaths. Otherwise this data does not reflect the fact that most buildings in urban areas are in high density unplanned areas, lacking roads and that rural buildings in most cases do not abut a road.
Another set of information that raises eyebrows is the observation that 83.3 percent of all buildings are occupied by owners, and that only 9.2 percent are occupied by tenants. We know that over 60 percent of urban residents are tenants. Where do they live? Even owner-occupiers many times live with tenants. How is this reflected in the data?
The data offers useful insights into the status of buildings in the country but needs careful analysis and interpretation. One general recommendation made is that land in Tanzania is used expansively, and that is time to use it more intensively, by building upwards.
This is also an appeal to the newly-appointed Government Statistician that once collected, Census data should be released as soon as possible otherwise it gets overtaken by events.
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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
Ali Hassan Mwinyi, Former President of Tanzania, Dies at 98
Ali Hassan Mwinyi, a schoolteacher turned politician who led Tanzania as its second post-independence president and helped dismantle the doctrinaire socialism of his predecessor, Julius K. Nyerere, died on Thursday in Dar es Salaam, the country’s former capital. He was 98.Continue Reading
Inside Tanzania’s Life-Saving Birthcare Model
Tanzania is winning the battle against maternal and newborn deaths, as the latest numbers reveal a significant decline.
“Tanzania is committed to reducing maternal and newborn mortality and ensuring safe deliveries as part of the national development plan. The Safer Births Bundle of Care is one of the key strategies supporting this effort,” said Dr. Benjamin Kamala, the Senior Research Scientist at Haydom Lutheran Hospital and Principal Investigator for the program, leading its implementation across five regions in Tanzania.
A groundbreaking study published in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that the innovative health program in Tanzania – centered on regular, on-the-job training for healthcare workers – reduced maternal deaths by 75% and early newborn deaths by 40%. The three-year study, conducted across 30 high-burden healthcare facilities in Tanzania, tracked approximately 300,000 mother-baby pairs under the Safer Births Bundle of Care (SBBC) programme. The programme focuses on improving care for mothers and babies during the day of birth, the critical time when a woman goes into labor and delivers her baby.
Maternal health is a key focus of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically Target 3.1, which aims to reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to fewer than 70 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030.
Tanzania’s program combines continuous, simulation-based training for frontline healthcare workers alongside innovative clinical tools to improve labour monitoring (fetal heart rate monitoring) and newborn resuscitation.It also uses data to drive ongoing improvements, ensuring that healthcare workers have the skills, confidence, and competence to manage birth-related complications for both mothers and newborns.
“We work closely with healthcare workers, equipping them with the necessary tools to improve the quality of care, ensuring they can effectively manage both mothers and babies during and after childbirth,” Dr. Kamala said, which helps them build on over a decade of innovative research and collaboration to improve care during childbirth.
“To give you a sense of the scale of the burden of maternal and newborn mortality in Tanzania when the Safer Births Bundles of Care program was in early development in 2015/16, there were around 556 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births and 25 neonatal deaths per 1,000 live births,” he said.
The published study demonstrates the “transformative impact” of the Safer Births Bundle of Care program conducted across 30 hospitals in five high-burden regions of Tanzania, where there were about 300,000 mother-baby pairs.
Maternal deaths at the start of the program were recorded at 240 per 100,000 live births, with postpartum hemorrhage and hypertensive disorders being the leading causes of death, he said. Over the 24-month study period, this number dropped to approximately 60 per 100,000 live births, representing a 75% reduction. The number of newborn deaths – which are primarily due to breathing difficulties and complications related to prematurity – declined by 40% – from 7 deaths per 1,000 live births to 4 deaths per 1,000 live births.
“These results are remarkable,” Dr. Kamala said.
According to Dr. Kamala, the 75% reduction in maternal deaths was not expected, and a key lesson was the important role of the in-situ team simulations – including for postpartum bleeding – with reflective debriefings that trained facilitators led.
“This seems to be a major part of the success of the program,” he said. “We are delighted by these results and hope that other countries adopt and scale the Safer Births Bundle of Care program… Beyond the numbers, the Safer Births Bundle of Care program has fostered a dramatic culture shift in our healthcare system,” he said. “Healthcare workers are now more confident and better equipped to handle birth-related complications for both mothers and babies.”
Maternal death drop
Dr. Kamala attributed the 60-70% reduction in newborn deaths in Geita and Manyara to several factors.
“Firstly, Manyara was the first site for implementation, giving the region more time to adapt and experience the impact of the program. Most importantly, both regions had a high burden of stillbirths and neonatal deaths, making them ideal targets for focused intervention. As a result, newborn deaths decreased by 60-70%, showcasing a clear positive impact on newborn survival,” he said.
Dr. Kamala said another possible explanation is the differences in the culture of practices, where some health facilities reported inaccurate data due to the fear of blame and shame. However, with the project’s implementation, reporting became more accurate after mplementation. Some regions, such as Tabora, reported an increase in the number of referrals to the study hospitals from other care centers after the program was implemented. These were more likely to be late admissions, which increase the likelihood of poor health outcomes, he said.
After the implementation of the program, there was a 40% decrease in newborn deaths within the first 24 hours after birth, according to the study.
Dr. Kamala said Tanzania’s remarkable progress in reducing maternal mortality by 80% is driven by strategic investments and innovative programs focused on improving maternal and child survival rates.
“Over 2,000 new healthcare facilities have been developed, free health services are being provided to expectant mothers and children under the age of five, and emergency obstetric care – including better transport to hospitals in rural areas are helping to ensure timely, life-saving interventions.
“Most importantly, the Ministry of Health works in collaboration with healthcare workers, hospitals, and development partners to strengthen the skills of frontline healthcare workers, which has been a key factor in driving this progress.
“Political leadership, alongside strategic partnerships and financing, has been crucial in driving progress in maternal and newborn health,” he said.
The program was made possible by the support of the Global Financing Facility for Women, Children, and Adolescents, Norad, UNICEF, and Laerdal Global Health, as well as the Ministry of Health and Haydom Lutheran Hospital. Their partnership and investment enabled the scaling of the Safer Births Bundle of Care to 30 hospitals and supported the research. “The government has now scaled the program to over 150 sites, and there are plans for further expansion to three regions this year and then nationally,” he said.
Dr. Kamala outlined key policy recommendations for other governments can adopt to prioritize maternal health.
“Firstly, it focuses on cost-effective and relatively simple interventions that are essential to preventing maternal and newborn deaths. For example, stronger primary healthcare that is delivered in the community and a well-trained healthcare workforce are also critical. Additionally, working in close collaboration with national, regional, and local health authorities is key.”
He said Tanzania’s approach, where the Safer Births Bundle of Care program was successfully scaled and sustained by aligning the initiative with national guidelines for obstetrical and newborn care. In addition, the creation of mentorship programs and regular supervision has helped to sustain the results.
Looking ahead
Tanzania now plans to expand to three new regions in 2025, followed by a nationwide rollout.
The success of the program has attracted interest from other countries, with Botswana, Ethiopia, Lesotho, and Namibia expressing interest in adapting the program to their healthcare system. In Nigeria, the program has already been launched in two states, Gombe and Borno, marking a significant step in its scaling.
Source: allafrica.com
