Kibaha. Wanawake wafanyakazi wanaojifungua watoto njiti wamesema siku 84 zilizowekwa kisheria kama likizo ya uzazi hazitoshelezi kulea watoto hao, wakiomba kufanyika wa marekebisho ya sheria ili kuwaongezea muda.
Wamesema hayo leo Machi 6, 2024 wakati wakipokea msaada wa vifaa vya usafi vilivyotolewa na idara ya wanawake ya Chama cha Wafanyakazi wa Serikali na Afya Tanzania (Tughe) waliotembelea Hospital ya rufaa ya Mkoa wa Pwani, Tumbi.
“Siku 80 ni chache kumuacha mtoto njiti na kuanza kazi, kwani anakuwa hajatengamaa vizuri. Ni vema iwekwe sheria ambayo inatambua kulipiza miezi inayotimiza kipindi cha kujifungua kama mjamzito amejifungua ndani ya miezi saba basi likizo yake ijumlishwe miezi mitatu na siku 80,” amesema Felister Assenga ambaye ni ofisa muuguzi kwenye hospitala ya Tumbi.
Amesema kuwa wanawake wanaojifungua watoto njiti wakiongezewa muda wa likizo, watatekeleza majukumu yao kwa ufanisi, pindi wanaporejea kazini kwa kuwa hawatakuwa na mawazo mengi kichwani kwa kuwaza watoto wao.
Kwa upande wake, Sikitu Salumu ambaye pia ni miongoni mwa wanawake waliojifungua watoto njiti ndani ya hospitali hiyo, amesema kuwa malezi ya watoto wanaozaliwa kabla ya wakati, yanahitaji nafasi na muda wa kutosha hivyo kuna kila sababu ya jamii kulitambua hilo ili kutoa ushirikiano.
“Natoa wito kwa jamii kuna baadhi wamekuwa wakihusisha na imani potofu pindi mwanamke anapojifungua mtoto njiti, jambo ambalo siyo kweli ni lazima watambue kuwa kila kitu kinapangwa na Mungu, hivyo tunapaswa tuwapende watoto wanaozaliwa kabla ya wakati na si kuwawazia vibaya,” amesema.
Akizungumza baada ya kukabidhi msaada huo ambao ni vifaa vya usafi na nguo za kusitiri watoto wachanga, Ofisa Elimu Kazi wa Tughe makao makuu, Nsubisi Mwasendede amesema chama hicho kinaiomba Serikali kufanya maboresho katika sheria zake, ili kuwaongezea siku za likizo ya uzazi wafanyakazi wanawake wanaojifungua watoto njiti.
“Sheria ya sasa ya ajira na mahusiano kazini imekuwa ikitoa siku 84 kwa wanawake wanaojifungua mtoto mmoja na pia siku 100 kwa wanajifungua zaidi ya mtoto mmoja wala haisemi chochote kuhusu wanawake wanaojifungua watoto njiti.
“Ndio maaana tumeona ni vyema kuikumbusha Serikali kufanya mabadiliko ili kuwaongezea muda wanawake hao,” amesema.
Likizo watoto njiti bungeni
Suala hilo la likizo liliwahi kuibuliwa bungeni jijini Dodoma Juni 25, 2019, ambapo aliyekuwa Naibu Waziri wa Nchi Ofisi ya Rais (Utumishi na utawala bora), Mary Mwanjelwa alisema kuwa Serikali imeweka utaratibu kuwa mtumishi wa umma anayejifungua pacha zaidi ya wawili au watoto njiti.
Alisema mwajiri wake anapaswa kuwailisha hoja kwa katibu Mkuu (Utumishi) ili kupata kibali cha kuongezewa muda wa likizo.
“Ikitokea mtumishi wa umma kajifungua watoto pacha zaidi ya wawili au watoto njiti na kulazimika kuwa na muda zaidi wa kuhudumia watoto hao, mwajiri wake anapaswa kuwasiliana na katibu Mkuu (Utumishi) ili atoe kibali cha kuongezewa muda wa likizo ya uzazi,” alisema.
Ziara ya TUGHE
Naye Mwenyekiti wa idara ya wanawake (TUGHE) makao makuu Agnes Ngereza, amesema katika kuelekea kilele cha siku ya wanawake duniani, wameona ni vema kuwatembelea na kutoa msaada kwenye wodi ya wanawake waliojifungua watoto njiti na kupata changamoto mbalimbali zinazowakabili ili kuziwasilisha kwa wadau wengine.
Kwa upande wake, muuguzi bingwa wa watoto hospitalini hapo, Maua Pendo ameushukuru uongozi wa TUGHE kwa kutoa msaada huo kwa wanawake na kuziomba taasisi zingine kuiga mfano huo.
Source: mwananchi.co.tz
Share this news
This Year's Most Read News Stories
Zanzibar airport monopoly puts 600 jobs at risk
On September 14, 2022, the director general of ZAA issued a directive that gave Dnata Zanzibar Aviation Services Limited an exclusive access to the newly constructed Terminal III, barring other operators.Continue Reading
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.
Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters
Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox
“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
Tanzania: Samia Hands Over NBC’s 354m/ – Crop Insurance Compensation to Farmers Affected By Hailstorms
President Samia Suluhu Hassan, has handed over a cheque of 354m/- from the National Bank of Commerce (NBC) as compensation to tobacco farmers, who were affected by hailstorms during the previous farming season in various regions across the country.
Handing over the cheque in Dodoma, the compensation is part of the crop insurance service provided by NBC in collaboration with the National Insurance Corporation (NIC).
Furthermore, President Samia has also handed over health insurance coverage to members of the Lindi Mwambao Cooperative Union based in Lindi Region, through the Farmers’ Health Insurance service provided by the bank in partnership with Assurance Insurance Company.
While visiting the bank’s pavilion at the Nanenane Agricultural Exhibition and being received and briefed by the bank’s Managing Director, Mr. Theobald Sabi, she said: “This crop insurance is one of the crucial solutions in ensuring farmers have a reliable income, without fear of challenges such as natural disasters, including hailstorms.
“I call upon all farmers in the country to make the best use of this important opportunity by accessing these kinds of insurance services. I also highly commend NBC and all the stakeholders participating in this programme.”
Elaborating further on the crop insurance service, the Minister of Agriculture, Hussein Bashe, stated that it will help to recover the loss farmers incurred, especially in various calamities beyond their control.
Citing them as floods, fires, and hailstorms, which have significantly affected the well-being of farmers and caused some to be reluctant to invest in the crucial sector, Mr Bashe added: “However, our President, this step by NBC is just the beginning, as this is the second year since they started offering this service, and the results are already visible.
Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters
Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox
“As the government, we promise to continue supporting the wider implementation of this service, with the goal of ensuring that this crop insurance service reaches more farmers.”
ALSO READ: NBC participates in TFF 2023/24 awards, promises to enhance competition
On his part, Mr Sabi said that the farmers who benefited from the compensations are from 23 primary cooperative unions in the regions of Shinyanga, Geita, Tabora, Mbeya, Katavi, and Kigoma.
He added: “In addition to these insurance services, as a bank, through this exhibition, we have continued with our programme of providing financial education and various banking opportunities to farmers, alongside offering them various loans, including loans for agricultural equipment, particularly tractors, to eligible farmers.:
At the NBC booth, President Samia also had the opportunity to be briefed on the various services offered by the bank to the farmers namely crop insurance and health insurance services.
There, the President had the chance to speak with some of the beneficiaries of the services, including the Vice-Chairman of the Lindi Mwambao Primary Cooperative Union, Mr. Hassan Mnumbe, whose union has been provided with a health insurance card from the bank.
Source: allafrica.com
