Unguja. Zanzibar’s national debt from loan acquired through the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania (SMT) or directly from foreign banks and development partners within the country has hit Sh1.105 trillion, the House of Representatives was told.
This was in response to inquiries raised by Dr. Mohammed Ali Suleiman from the Mtambwe Constituency, regarding the country’s foreign debts.
According to the deputy minister of State, Office of the President, Finance, and Planning Juma Makungu Juma , the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar has acquired a total of six loans amounting to Sh813.63 billion.
Additionally, the government has provided guarantees for 14 institutions totaling Sh185.73 billion. This borrowing has significantly contributed to the nation’s development efforts, including the implementation of major projects.
However, the accumulation of these loans has led to a substantial increase in the national debt. As of March 2024, the total national debt guaranteed by the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar stood at Sh1,105.09 billion.
This represents a significant surge from the recorded debt of Sh155.8 billion in 2020, marking a 609.3 percent increase.
“Despite the mounting debt, the government assures that repayment is being managed effectively. Strategies have been devised to ensure timely repayment, including borrowing for development projects aimed at boosting national income,” he said
He added: Efforts to enhance revenue collection are underway, with a portion allocated to servicing these loans. Additionally, a special debt payment plan, along with a dedicated account called the “debt service a/c,” has been established to manage repayments as debts mature.
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Tanzania Confirms Outbreak of Marburg Virus Disease
Dodoma — Tanzania today confirmed an outbreak of Marburg virus disease in the northwestern Kagera region after one case tested positive for the virus following investigations and laboratory analysis of suspected cases of the disease.
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
