Dar es Salaam. NCBA Bank Tanzania has partnered with Jangwani Girls Secondary School to plant 1,000 trees as part of efforts to conserve the environment.
The initiative forms part of the bank’s broader ambition to plant 6,000 trees across the country by the end of this year.
The event, held at the weekend, saw participation from students, school staff, government representatives and bank officials.
The tree planting exercise aims to promote biodiversity, improve air quality, and offer students a practical understanding of environmental stewardship. Speaking during the event, NCBA Bank’s head of strategy and sustainability, Mr Charles Mbatia, highlighted the bank’s dedication to sustainability. “At NCBA, we believe in building a sustainable future.
The initiative not only demonstrates our commitment to the environment but also empowers communities to adopt sustainable practices. Each tree planted today symbolises hope for a greener tomorrow,” he said. Acting director for environment at the National Environmental Management Council, Ms Abela Mayungi, praised the initiative, describing it as an excellent example of corporate responsibility.
“NCBA Bank’s efforts underscore the critical role of organisations in addressing environmental challenges. Their partnership with communities demonstrates the transformative potential of such collaborations,” she said.
The latest effort builds on NCBA’s earlier tree planting campaigns in Zanzibar, where the bank supported coastal conservation, and in Arusha, where trees were planted to green the grounds of Arusha City Hospital.
In addition to planting trees, the bank also conducted an awareness session for Jangwani students, focusing on the role of trees in reducing carbon emissions, preserving ecosystems, and enhancing public health. Students actively participated, gaining hands-on experience and learning about the importance of environmental conservation.
NCBA Bank Tanzania has pledged to continue integrating sustainability into its operations and community outreach.
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Tanzania Confirms Outbreak of Marburg Virus Disease
Dodoma — Tanzania today confirmed an outbreak of Marburg virus disease in the northwestern Kagera region after one case tested positive for the virus following investigations and laboratory analysis of suspected cases of the disease.
President of the Republic of Tanzania, Her Excellency Samia Suluhu Hassan, made the announcement during a press briefing alongside World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, in the country’s administrative capital Dodoma.
“Laboratory tests conducted in Kabaile Mobile Laboratory in Kagera and later confirmed in Dar es Salaam identified one patient as being infected with the Marburg virus. Fortunately, the remaining suspected patients tested negative,” the president said. “We have demonstrated in the past our ability to contain a similar outbreak and are determined to do the same this time around.”
A total of 25 suspected cases have been reported as of 20 January 2025, all of whom have tested negative and are currently under close follow-up, the president said. The cases have been reported in Biharamulo and Muleba districts in Kagera.
“We have resolved to reassure the general public in Tanzania and the international community as a whole of our collective determination to address the global health challenges, including the Marburg virus disease,” said H.E President Hassan.
WHO is supporting Tanzanian health authorities to enhance key outbreak control measures including disease surveillance, testing, treatment, infection prevention and control, case management, as well as increasing public awareness among communities to prevent further spread of the virus.
“WHO, working with its partners, is committed to supporting the government of Tanzania to bring the outbreak under control as soon as possible, and to build a healthier, safer, fairer future for all the people of Tanzania,” said Dr Tedros. “Now is a time for collaboration, and commitment, to protecting the health of all people in Tanzania, and the region, from the risks posed by this disease.”
Marburg virus disease is highly virulent and causes haemorrhagic fever. It belongs to the same family as the virus that causes Ebola virus disease. Illness caused by Marburg virus begins abruptly. Patients present with high fever, severe headache and severe malaise. They may develop severe haemorrhagic symptoms within seven days.
“The declaration by the president and the measures being taken by the government are crucial in addressing the threat of this disease at the local and national levels as well as preventing potential cross-border spread,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “Our priority is to support the government to rapidly scale up measures to effectively respond to this outbreak and safeguard the health of the population,”
Tanzania previously reported an outbreak of Marburg in March 2023 – the country’s first – in Kagera region, in which a total of nine cases (eight confirmed and one probable) and six deaths were reported, with a case fatality ratio of 67%.
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In the African region, previous outbreaks and sporadic cases have been reported in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, South Africa and Uganda.
Marburg virus is transmitted to people from fruit bats and spreads among humans through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people, surfaces and materials. Although several promising candidate medical countermeasures are currently undergoing clinical trials, there is no licensed treatment or vaccine for effective management or prevention of Marburg virus disease. However, early access to treatment and supportive care – rehydration with oral or intravenous fluids – and treatment of specific symptoms, improve survival.
Source: allafrica.com
