DODOMA: THE government has stated that it is closely following and monitoring all latest medical treatment technologies being employed in the developed countries before using them in the country.
Deputy Minister for Health Dr Godwin Mollel issued the government stand on the adoption of the emerging treatment technologies in the world yesterday in Parliament when responding to the question posed by Kawe CCM legislator, Josephat Gwajima.
The deputy minister was prompted to issue the government position on the matter after Mr Gwajima sought explanation on when it would adopt and start using a new treatment technology known as CRISPR-Cas9, also known as Crispr Cas9 (Gene Editing Technology), in treating circle cell patients.
In his response, Dr Mollel said the government has, at all times, been closely monitoring all emerging treatment technologies in the world, including the CRISPR Cas 9 Technology (Gene Editing).
He said CRISPR Cas 9 Technology (Gene Editing) has been in use for not more than two years.
He said President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan received clarification on the new treatment technology when she made a tour of the US in 2022.
Furthermore, he said, when Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa represented Dr Samia at the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) that was held in September 2024 in New York, US , CRISPR Cas 9 Technology (Gene Editing) was among the issues that featured in the discussion between the PM and the US medical and technological institutions.
According to Dr Mollel, US patients who benefited from the treatment technology attended the meetings between the PM and the institution.
The deputy minister assured MPs and the general public that when use of the technology is rolled out in the world, Tanzania will be among the first countries to adopt and use it.
He said preparations for adopting and using the technology started in 2022 by preparing experts. Dr Mollel further informed the House that currently the technology is used in bone marrow transplant at Benjamin Mkapa Hospital.
A bone marrow transplant (BMT) is a procedure that replaces unhealthy bloodforming cells with healthy ones.
It’s a treatment for certain cancers and other blood disorders. In his supplementary question, Mr Gwajima sought further explanation from the government on how it will regulate its use, given the fact that Crispr Cas9 (Gene Editing Technology can change the DNA of a human being. Responding, Dr Mollel said the technology will be regulated by legal frameworks.
Dr Mollel said, given the fact that President Samia is committed to ensuring Tanzania performs well in all sectors, including health, Tanzania will never be left behind in adopting ad using emerging medical treatment technologies.
He said the Global Goalkeeper Award awarded by the Gates Foundation to President Samia is the testament of the Head of State’s commitment in improving the health sector.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan was on Tuesday presented with award in recognition of Tanzania’s remarkable achievements in maternal, newborn, child nutrition and health (MNCNH).
Available literature shows CRISPR-Cas9 technology is used in treatment by precisely editing genes within a patient’s cells, allowing scientists to correct disease causing mutations at the DNA level, potentially curing genetic disorders by either removing faulty genes, inserting functional ones, or modifying gene expression to address the underlying cause of a disease.
This is primarily explored for single-gene disorders like sickle cell anemia, cystic fibrosis, and certain types of cancer, where a specific genetic mutation is known to be the primary driver of the disease.
