United Republic of Tanzania News

Kigoma, 28 May 2015 – As of 16 May 2015, a cholera outbreak was confirmed in the Kigoma region, on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, along the Tanzania border with Burundi. Cholera is endemic in the region, but due to a recent influx of thousands of Burundian refugees, overcrowding and poor sanitation, the situation got worse. As of 28 May 2015, a total of 4487 suspected cholera cases have been reported so far. 

Kagunga, 26 May 2015 – The ongoing cholera outbreak in western Tanzania appears to be improving thanks to intensive national and international efforts, but the risk of transmission remains high due to limited access to shelter, toilets, water and essential medical care. As of 25 May, the total number of cases diagnosed and treated was 4408 and no deaths have been reported between 21-24 May.

Brazzaville/ Dar es Salaam, 19 May 2015 – A severe humanitarian crisis is developing in Tanzania as thousands of refugees from Burundi seek asylum due to escalating political tensions. The situation is especially worrisome in Kagunga village in Tanzania where the original population of 11 382 has increased to over 90 000 since the crisis began in April 2015.

Dar es Salaam, 20 February 2015 - The WHO Tanzania country office provided the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare equipment to strengthen Ebola and pandemic influenza preparedness in the country. Items handed over included: heavy duty personal protective equipment (PPEs ) for Ebola such as gumboots, heavy duty gloves and aprons, protective goggles, sprayers and cadaver bags, laboratory incubator, 10 computers, 10 UPS and 12 printers, all worth a total of US$ 46 070 equivalent to Tanzania Shillings 83 617 100.

Dar es Salaam, 18 February 2015 - The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare with support from the World Health Organization, held the 2nd stakeholders’ meeting to review implementation of the first year of the HPV Demonstration Project in the Kilimanjaro region. The HPV Demonstration Project launched early in 2014 aims to demonstrate how the HPV vaccine targeting girls aged 9 to 13 years can be delivered in routine settings while looking at implications on coverage, feasibility, acceptability and cost.

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania - 16th January 2015 - The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MOHSW) in collaboration with the Prime Ministers’ Office, Department of Disaster Management (PMO-DMD) for the first time held the high level sensitization meeting to discuss Ebola Virus Disease country preparedness. The meeting which took place in Dar es Salaam was officiated by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Donan Mmbando and Representative of the Permanent Secretary, Prime Minister’s Office, Mr. Harrison Chinyuka.

“Together let us combat sub-standard and counterfeit products to protect our health” was the call made when the Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority (TFDA) celebrated its tenth anniversary on 17th October, 2013.

On the 9th – 12th June, 2014, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare with support from the World Health Organization, held a stakeholders’ workshop to discuss the Human Resource for Health (HRH) Production Plan in Dar es Salaam.

On the 9th of June, 2014, the WHO Country Office handed over to the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, three ELISA Reader machines to strengthen new vaccine surveillance in the country. Tanzania currently has 7 new vaccine Sentinel Sites for surveillance of Rotavirus Gastroenteritis (RGS) and Paediatric Bacterial Meningitis which aim to monitor the impact of the new vaccines in reducing disease incidence. The 3 ELISA Reader machines handed over are worth a total of USD 24,000 equivalent to Tanzanian Shillings 39,912,000.

On 7th June 2014, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MOHSW) in collaboration with the Prime Minister’s Office Regional Administration and Local Government (PMORALG) held a meeting gathering Regional Commissioners (RCs) from the 27 regions to brief them on Dengue Fever prevention and control. The half-day meeting officiated by the Hon. Minister for PMORALG, Ms. Hawa Ghasia (MP) was in the effort to strengthen the national response to the on-going dengue fever outbreak in the country, officially declared on 24th April 2014.