Dar es Salaam. Serikali na wadau wa teknolojia wamedhamiria kuziinua kampuni changa bunifu (startups), ili kufikia malengo ya kuwawezesha vijana kujiajiri na kutatua changamoto zinazoikabili jamii.
Hayo yamesemwa jijini Dar es Salaam kwenye hafla ya utoaji zawadi kwa washindi watatu wa mashindano ya ubunifu kwenye teknolojia (U.S Tanzania Tech Challenge 2024) iliyoandaliwa na ubalozi wa Marekani na kuwakutanisha vijana 100 kwenye mashindano hayo yaliyoanza Juni mwaka huu.
Akizungumza Meneja wa Ubunifu na Teknolojia kutoka Tume ya Sayansi na Teknolojia (Costech), Dk Gerald Kafuku amesema Serikali ina programu za kuwafikisha hatua kubwa wabunifu hapa nchini ambayo inaendelea kuzitekeleza.
“Kama nchi tunaweka mazingira ambayo matumizi ya Tehama yaweze kwenda katika kila sekta ikiwemo uchumi na matumizi ya akili mnemba yasiwe ya kuogopa tena,” amesema.
Katika kusaidia ukuaji wa kampuni changa za kiteknolojia, Dk Kafuku amesema Tanzania ina wabunifu karibu 200 na wenye kampuni za kiteknolojia wako 33 zinazosaidiwa na Serikali.
“Serikali tuna wabunifu karibu 200 na walio na kampuni wako 33 na wengine wanazo kampuni hadi Dubai na Jamhuri ya Kidemokrasua ya Congo. Tunazidi kusaidia kampuni changa nyingi hadi zinakua kubwa,” amesema.
Amesema katika kuwawezesha vijana, wapo 20 waliopitishwa jana na sasa wamefikia uwezo wa kuanza kuzalisha fedha.
Akizungumza katika mkutano huo, Mkurugenzi wa Jamii Forums, Maxence Melo amesema kupitia Jamii Check wanasaidia jamii kwa kuwawezesha wananchi kupata taarifa sahihi ili waweze kufanya maamuzi.
“Jamii Forums kama taasisi inayosaidia jamii iliamua kuja na Jamii Check ili wananachi wafanye maamuzi sahihi kupitia taarifa sahihi baada ya kufanya tafiti,” amesema.
Amesema waliamua kuanzisha Jamii Check ili kutatua changamoto za wananchi na si kwa ajili ya kupata pesa, hivyo ameshauri wanaoanzisha bunifu wawe na lengo la kusaidia jamii kwanza kabla ya kuwaza kupata fedha.
Loth Makuza kutoka kampuni ya Smart Foundry miongoni mwa washindi hao watatu amesema wanawasaidia watu na kampuni mbalimbali kusoma magazeti kupitia progamu yao maalumu waliyoianzisha kwa ajili ya kurahisisha wasomaji hao.
“Tumerahisisha watu na kampuni kusoma magazeti kupitia application yetu na wameacha kusoma magazeti ya karatasi kisha kuyatupa,” amesema.
Balozi wa Marekani hapa Tanzania Dk Michael Battle amesema ni wakati wa vijana wa Tanzania kutumia fursa ya teknolojia kujiajiri huku akisema ni wakati wao kufanya vizuri.
“Kwa wale ambao wanataka kuwa wabunifu na kubadilisha uchumi, basi pata mshirika mwenye mawazo kama yako, mtu ambaye anataka kuleta mabadiliko na kuisadia jamii.
Awali Waziri wa Habari, Teknolojia ya Habari na Mawasiliano, Jerry Silla amesema ubunifu wa kidijitali ndio njia pekee itakaowezesha vijana kujiajiri na kutatua changamoto zinazoikabili jamii.
Source: mwananchi.co.tz
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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
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