Dodoma. Zaidi ya nusu ya watoto nchini hawako katika ukuaji sahihi unaotakiwa huku ikielezwa kuwa hali hiyo inaweza kuongezeka ikiwa juhudi za makusudi hazitachukuliwa.
Takwimu hizo zimetolewa leo Februari 28,2025 jijini Dodoma na Waziri wa Maendeleo ya Jamii, Jinsia, Wanawake na Makundi Maalum Dk Dorothy Gwajima wakati akifungua mafunzo ya waandishi wa habari wanaojisisha na taarifa za mtoto.
Dk Gwajima amesema takwimu za kitafiti zinaonyesha asilimia 47 ya watoto nchi Tanzania ndiyo walionekana kuwa ukuaji sahihi uliotimilika, huku asilimia 53 hawakuwa kwenye ukuaji sahihi uliotimilika.
Kwa mujibu takwimu za mwaka 2022 za Ofisi ya Taifa ya Takwimu (NBS) zinaonyesha idadi ya watoto wenye umri wa kuanzia miaka 0-8 ambao wanatajwa walikuwa 16,694,763 ambayo ni asilimia 27.0 ya Watanzania hivyo kwa asilimia 53 inayoelezwa ni watoto 8.8 milioni.
Katika mafunzo hayo ambayo yameandaliwa na Umoja wa Vilabu vya Waandishi wa Habari nchini (UTPC) kwa kushirikiana na taasisi nyingine, yamewakusanya waandishi wa habari wanaoandika habari za mtoto kutoka mikoa 26 ya Tanzania Bara na yanafanyika kwa siku tatu.
Kwa mara ya kwanza mpango huo ulizinduliwa Desemba 23, 2021 na umetajwa kuwa na mafanikio makubwa kwa kutumia waandishi na radio za kijamii.
“Hali hii tunayoiona kwa sasa itakuwa mbaya zaidi kwa siku zijazo kama hatutaweza kuchukua hatua za makusudi, lazima tubadili mtazamo kuanzia mtu anapokuwa na mimba hadi mtoto atakapofikisha miaka minane,” amesema Dk Gwajima.
Waziri amesema wazazi wengi wanadanganywa na unene wa watoto wao wakiamini ndiyo wapo kwenye afya nzur, wakati hakuna ukweli kwenye jambo hilo.
Amewataka waandishi wa habari kutumia kalamu zao vema kulisaidia Taifa la kesho hasa kuwaelimisha watu watambue afya za watoto wao tangu wakiwa wadogo, huku akisisitiza zaidi hatari zinazowapata watoto wa vijijini.
Mratibu wa Ubora wa huduma za Tiba kutoka Ofisi ya Rais Tamisemi, Dk Pius Kagoma amesema ulinzi na usalama ni kwa mtoto ni sehemu ya makuzi. “Lakini jambo kubwa ni lishe toshelevu.
Dk Kagoma amewaambia waandishi wa habari kwamba Serikali itaendelea kuweka mkakati wa kuwalinda watoto, ambapo matokeo yatakuwa chanya iwapo waandishi watatumia zaidi kalamu zao kufikisha ujumbe kwa jamii.
Mkurugenzi Msaidizi Idara ya Maendeleo ya Jamii, Mathia Haule amesema watoto wengi wamekuwa waathirika wa ukatili na mara nyingine kesi zinamalizwa ngazi ya kaya na familia, jambo ambalo limekuwa chanzo na kichaka cha kuficha uhalifu.
Haule amesema kalamu pekee zinaweza kufichua mambo hayo hivyo waandishi wanahimizwa kujengewa uwezo kuhusu malezi na makuzi ya awali ya mtoto.
Source: mwananchi.co.tz
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Tanzania: Exim to Raise Fund for Mental Health Facilities Upgrades
EXIM Bank to raise 300m/- over the next three years for financing essential services and infrastructure upgrades in mental health facilities.
The bank’s Head of Marketing and Communications Stanley Kafu unveiled this when introducing Exim Bima Festival 2024 as a platform for bringing together individuals, organisations and various sectors for raising the funds.
“Exim’s initiative aligns with the government’s broader goals to ensure that every citizen has access to quality healthcare, including mental health services,” he said.
The initiative, which is one of the events for celebrating the bank’s 27th anniversary is scheduled for Wednesday this week in Dar es Salaam.
Mr Kafu highlights that this year’s festival is not only about raising awareness of the importance of insurance in the society but also focuses on enhancing access to mental health services and improving the overall well-being of the nation.
Statistics from the Ministry of Health shows a staggering 82 per cent increase in mental health cases over the past decade.
Mental cases have risen from 386,358 in 2012 to 2,102,726 in 2021, making the need for mental health services more urgent than ever.
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Unfortunately, the country’s ability to address this growing challenge is hindered by a shortage of mental health professionals, infrastructure, medical equipment and essential medication.
For example, out of the 28 regions in the country, only five have facilities that provide adequate mental health services.
The most affected group is the youth aged 15 to 39, who represent the nation’s workforce, underscoring the need for intensified efforts to safeguard this generation for Tanzania’s future well-being and development.
Mr Kafu said by improving mental health services, Exim aims to contribute to the creation of a network of communities that can access care quickly and affordably.
Exim Insurance Department Manager Tike Mwakyoma said they are appreciating the support from partners in the insurance industry, who have stood by them since the last festival.
“Let’s continue this unity for the development of all Tanzanians and our nation as a whole,” the manager said.
Source: allafrica.com
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
