Dar es Salaam. Tanzania, in partnership with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), is poised to launch a digital innovation hub designed to accelerate the evolution of the entire Information and Communications Technology (ICT) landscape both nationally and internationally.
That revelation came to light over the weekend after the inaugural gathering of the ITU held its digital innovation board in Geneva, Switzerland, from March 19 to 20.
Tanzania was represented at the meeting by the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority’s (TCRA) director general, Dr Jabiri Bakari, Information and Communication Technologies Commission director general, Dr Nkundwe Mwasaga, and TCRA’s director of Sectorial Affairs, Mr Mwesigwa Felician.
In a statement released by the authority, Dr Bakari, the ITU’s digital innovation board member, said that Tanzania has been granted permission to establish a hub overseen by the ITU as part of its network of innovation centres (ITU Acceleration Centres), which are distributed globally, regionally, and nationally.
“This initiative aligns with ITU’s strategy to leverage ICT innovation to foster economic development in member countries, thereby promoting digital economic growth,” he emphasised.
Speaking about the conference, Dr Bakari emphasised that its purpose was to inaugurate the board and discuss its responsibilities, along with exchanging experiences in digital innovation.
“Here, we have explored pathways to foster diverse innovations, enhance collaboration between universities and innovation institutions, and discussed the establishment of a system for exchanging information among innovation hubs worldwide,” he noted.
The meeting was chaired by the director of the Development Bureau at the ITU, Dr Cosmas Zavazava.
It was attended by 23 members from various countries in Africa, with representation from Tanzania, South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Gabon, and Malawi.
Dr Bakari added that the board is among the three key components of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Alliance for Digital Development Foundation, established by ITU last year to promote digital innovation.
The alliance aims to accelerate digital transformation by enabling digital innovation and promoting entrepreneurial values through these innovations, with Tanzania’s presence providing the country with the opportunity to benefit more from professional resolutions through this platform.
Commenting on that, communications lecturer from St Augustine University, Dr Albert Tibaijuka, said Tanzania’s presence in this board meeting signifies a pivotal moment, one that unveils a golden opportunity for our nation.
“This isn’t just an opportunity; it’s presented to us on a silver platter as our chance to spearhead the establishment of a groundbreaking innovation hub,” Dr Tibaijuka noted.
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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
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