Embrace regular health checkups, Tanzanians told
DAR ES SALAAM: TANZANIANS have been urged to cultivate a culture of regular medical checkups as a proactive measure to prevent serious illnesses and reduce the long-term costs of treatment.
The call was made on Monday by Kinondoni Municipality’s Clinic Service Coordinator for NonCommunicable Diseases (NCDs), Dr Omary Mwangaza during the announcement of the upcoming second edition of the Masaki Health Expo, scheduled to take place this Sunday in Dar es Salaam.
The free day-long event is organised by the NGO Masaki Wellspring Hub (MWH) and aims to empower the community with knowledge and resources for holistic wellness. Key focus areas include nutrition and diet, mental health, reproductive health and more.
“Many people only visit hospitals when their condition is already critical, a trend that not only endangers lives but also increases the financial burden of treatment,” said Dr Mwangaza.
He said that the Health Expo aligns with national efforts by the Ministry of Health and the President’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG) to increase access to primary healthcare services.
“This initiative promotes health education and early screening to help prevent non-communicable diseases. I encourage Dar es Salaam residents and those from nearby regions to attend the Expo on September 21,” he said.
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“We are pleased with this initiative, as it complements government efforts to promote healthy living. Having these services provided at no cost is commendable,” he added.
MWH Board Chairman Fortunatus Ekklesiah noted that the Expo will feature over 15 exhibitors from various sectors of the healthcare industry, covering critical areas such as nutrition, physiotherapy, mental health, reproductive health, oral care and eye care.
“Our focus is on areas that matter most to the community, those that have a direct impact on daily life and well-being,” he said.
Dr Winfred Wanga from the Tanzania Oral Health Foundation said the foundation is fully prepared to provide oral health education and free dental screenings to attendees.
