23 February 2022, Zanzibar: The World Health Organization in Tanzania handed over to the Ministry of Health in Zanzibar medical equipment and supplies to support national efforts in battling the COVID-19 pandemic and Neglected Tropical Diseases in the Island.

Items provided by the WHO Country Representative, Dr. Tigest Mengestu included: 700,000 surgical and examination gloves; 462,500 personal protective equipment; 40 COVID-19 testing kits; 2 oxygen production plant spare parts; 2.4 million Praziquantel tablets (medication used to treat worm infections) and five television screens; all worth a total of USD 591,406 equivalent to TZS 1,360,605,150.

The handing over ceremony was presided by the Minister of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, Honourable Nassor Mazrui and witnessed by Directors and Programme Officers from the Ministry of Health, WHO staff and members of the media.

In her handing over speech, Dr Tigest commended the Ministry of Health Zanzibar for efforts undertaken in the control and elimination of Schistosomiasis, Lymphatic Filariasis amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. “Last month, Tanzania joined the global community in commemorating the World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day.  Neglected tropical diseases affect the poorest and most marginalized communities, and the COVID-19 pandemic has made things worse, badly disrupting services to prevent, detect and treat them. We congratulate you and your entire Ministry of Health management for keeping up the fight against these diseases by engaging multiple stakeholders from national to grass root level”.

Regarding COVID-19 prevention, Dr. Tigest reiterated “As WHO we have not changed our message about prevention. We insist that, no matter the variant, we must adhere to all precautions. No one precaution, replaces other measures. Vaccination does not replace wearing masks, handwashing, or physical distancing. We must do it all!”

 She concluded by reassuring WHO’s commitment to continue working with partners to support the Ministry of Health and the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar to promote health and protect the people of Zanzibar.

In his acceptance speech, Honourable Nassor Mazrui said that the items provided will complement the current response efforts to the pandemic - specifically, critical care for COVID-19 patients; infection prevention control and public awareness at points of entry. “With this timely support, Zanzibar will be in a better position to fulfil its IHR obligations and with stronger capacity to contain the Neglected Tropical Diseases in the Island”. The Ministry expressed appreciation to the World Health Organization for the timely support to the people of Zanzibar and assured that the medicines and equipment will be used as intended.

This support has been made possible through generous contributions from the German Government, Department for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD) Canada, Ministry for Europe, Foreign Affairs (MEAE) - France and Glaxosmithkline (GSK) - UK.