Dar es Salaam. The second annual Maalim Seif Foundation (MSF), which is held to honor the late Maalim Seif Sharif Hamad, is set to be held for two days from Saturday, October 22 and Sunday October 23, at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Zanzibar.
The conference will be graced by the first Vice President of Zanzibar, Othman Masoud Othman, and closed by the Chairman of the Tanzania Center for Democracy (TCD), Abdulrahman Kinana.
The institute was established with the objectives of promoting democracy through discussion and diplomacy and running programs aimed at building and developing reconciliation; living in justice; peace and mutual respect; conflict resolution; integration and cooperation between people and various communities.
In a statement issued by the Acting Chief Executive Officer, Ismail Jussa, said the theme of this year’s meeting is education, talent development, creativity, and empowerment.
“These contents have been chosen to go along with the ongoing discussion about the need for change in the education system in Zanzibar and in the world in general to involve the life and vision of Maalim Seif,” said Jussa.
He said that the conference will bring together speakers from the public and private sectors to talk about the state of education in Zanzibar and work together to classify the opportunities available in African countries and the world.
“Famous and experienced people on these issues inside and outside the country have been invited to come and talk and exchange ideas related to the content,” he said.
Among them are the Minister of Education of Zimbabwe, David Coltart; famous scholars in the country, Prof Issa Shivji, Prof Kitila Mkumbo, Richard Mabala; businessman Rostam Aziz; and Professor Gary Thomas Burgess from the US Naval Academy among others.
Others are international writer and expert analyst, Ahmed Rajab, famous writer Mohamed Khelef Ghassani, education experts, Dr Maryam Jaffar Ismail of SUZA, Khadija Shariff of Milele Foundation, and Maalim Hussein.
Also, Ali Suleiman and student Maaher Bhaloo, retired American Ambassador to Tanzania, Mark Green, and retired Ambassador of the European Union (EU), Roeland van de Geer, will also speak via video.
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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
