Dar es Salaam. Tanzania na Somalia zimekubaliana mambo makuu matatu ya ushirikiano katika sekta ya afya ikiwemo matibabu ya kibingwa na ubingwa bobezi, kutoa mafunzo ya udaktari bingwa na bobezi na ushirikiano katika ununuzi na usambazaji dawa kupitia Bohari ya Dawa (MSD).
Hayo ni miongoni mwa makubaliano yaliyofanyika kati ya Rais Samia Suluhu Hassan na Rais wa Somalia, Dk Hassan Sheikh Mohamud aliyekuwa nchini kwa ziara ya kikazi.
Akizungumzia ziara hiyo, Waziri wa Afya Ummy Mwalimu amesema moja kati ya majadiliano ambayo Rais Mohamud alijadiliana na Rais Samia ni kuanzisha ushirikiano katika sekta ya afya.
Amesema walibainisha maeneo makubwa matatu ya kushirikiana katika kutoa matibabu ya ubingwa na ubingwa bobezi, hususani katika Taasisi ya Mifupa Muhimbili (MOI) Taasisi ya Moyo ya Jakaya Kikwete (JKCI) na Hospitali ya Taifa Muhimbili (MNH).
“Tumemwambia Rais wa Somalia kwamba tupo vizuri na tuna madaktari bingwa na mabingwa bobezi na tuna vifaa vya kutosha na vya kisasa. Madaktari wetu wamejengewa uwezo na wana uzoefu mkubwa katika kutoa huduma za ubingwa na ubingwa bobezi,” amesema.
Waziri Ummy amelitaja eneo la pili kuwa ni kushirikiana katika kutoa mafunzo ya wataalamu wa afya;
“Tumebaini kwamba madaktari wao wanaishia katika ngazi ya digrii ya kwanza, kwa hiyo tutashirikiana nao katika kutoa mafunzo ya ubingwa kupitia vyuo vyetu vikuu kikiwemo Chuo Kikuu cha Afya na Sayansi Shirikishi Muhimbili Muhas, kwa kufundisha eneo la ubingwa na ubingwa bobezi,” amesema.
Amelitaja eneo la tatu ni kushirikiana katika usambazaji na ununuzi wa dawa, kupitia MSD ambayo imekuwa na uzoefu mkubwa katika kununua, kutunza na kusambaza dawa na wanahudumia zaidi ya vituo 8000 nchini.
“Lakini pia mawaziri wa Afya wa nchi za SADC waliipa dhamana Tanzania kupitia MSD kununua dawa kwa niaba ya nchi zingine za SADC, lakini kwa kuwa kwa sasa Somalia ni mwanachama wa Jumuiya ya Afrika Mashariki, ni eneo ambalo wameona tunaweza kushirikiana nao katika kuhakikisha tunanunua dawa kwa pamoja na tuzipate dawa zenye ubora kwa bei rahisi na kuzipeleka Somalia,” amesema na kuongeza:
“Wakuu wetu wametuelekeza mimi na mwenzangu wa Somalia tujadiliane, kwa hiyo mimi na mwenzangu tutakaa na tuone ni lini tutaanza ushirikiano huu.”
Rais wa Somalia, Mohamud amesema nchi yake imeamua kushirikiana kwa karibu na Bohari ya Dawa ya Tanzania katika ununuzi wa bidhaa za afya na kubadilishana uzoefu wa namna mnyororo wa ugavi wa bidhaa za afya unavyofanya kazi.
Rais Mahamud aliyasema hayo jana alipoitembelea MSD na kuongeza kuwa kutokana na uzoefu wa bohari hiyo, wana uhakika kuwepo kwa ubora wa bidhaa za afya.
Kiongozi huyo wa Somalia na ujumbe wake alizungumza na viongozi wa Wizara ya Afya, Menejimenti ya MSD na kutembelea ghala la kuhifadhia dawa.
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
