Dar es Salaam. The Institute of Public Relations Tanzania (IPRT) and the Zanzibar Treasury Registrar have inked a deal to establish awards aimed at raising communication standards across the Isles.
The ceremony for the Zanzibar Communication Excellence Awards (ZCEA), is set to take place on July 5, 2025, according to a statement issued yesterday.
The agreement was signed in by IPRT director, Dr Titus Solomon and the Zanzibar Treasury Registrar, Mr Waheed Muhammad Ibrahim Sanya. The move is expected to enhance the professionalism and effectiveness of journalists, media organisations, and government information officers.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Dr Solomon highlighted that the collaboration seeks to equip communication professionals with the necessary skills to deliver high-quality information to the public.
“Our objective is to strengthen the capabilities of media practitioners and public relations officers, ensuring they provide accurate and timely information that influences public discourse and government policy decisions,” he said.
The awards will recognise excellence in journalism and strategic communication, particularly in reporting on government development projects undertaken in Zanzibar over the past four years.
Dr Solomon noted that the initiative is expected to improve the dissemination of crucial information and foster greater public engagement.
Ahead of the official launch of the awards, journalists and information officers will undergo specialised training tailored to their specific areas of interest. Media houses will receive invitations for the training sessions, which will be conducted in collaboration with IPRT.
Dr Solomon reiterated IPRT’s commitment to enhancing communication capacity across Tanzania, citing previous training initiatives with institutions such as the Tanzania Police Force, Zanzibar Revenue Authority (ZRA), Zanzibar Bureau of Standards (ZBS), Tanzania Tourism Board (TTB), and the Drugs Control and Enforcement Authority (DCEA), among others.
Mr Sanya expressed confidence that the awards would promote transparency and professionalism in government communications.
“Our partnership with IPRT will help strengthen the capacity of journalists and information officers, ensuring that government initiatives are reported accurately and professionally,” he said.
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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
