Govt trains 170 chemical supervisors to enhance public safety

KIBAHA: THE government will heighten training to chemical supervisors from both public and private institutions across the country, in an effort to safeguard public health and prevent hazardous effects caused by improper handling and use of chemicals.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr Seif Shekalaghe, said recently in a speech delivered on his behalf by the Ministry’s Director of Legal Services, Mr Rahimu Masombo, during the opening of a three-day Annual Refresher Training for Chemical Supervisors for the Eastern Zone (Coast and Dar es Salaam regions).

The training, organised by the Government Chemist Laboratory Authority (GCLA), brought together 170 Chemical Supervisors from various public and private sector institutions at the Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Leadership School in Kibaha Municipal, Coast Region.

Dr Shekalaghe said that although chemicals bring numerous benefits, such as water purification, industrial use and medical laboratory work, they can pose significant risks to human health if not handled correctly.

“Our government prioritises the health and safety of its people, as reflected in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Reducing the harmful effects of hazardous chemicals and protecting water sources from chemical contamination and waste is one way of ensuring a healthier and safer population,” he said.

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For his part, the Chief Government Chemist, Dr Fidelity Mafumiko, noted that training chemical supervisors is a key step in ensuring that communities receive the necessary knowledge on proper chemical handling and management to safeguard human life and other living organisms affected by poor chemical practices.

“We have invited a large number of participants from the private sector because they are key stakeholders and we want this message to reach every corner of the country to achieve positive and lasting results,” he explained.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 13.7 million deaths were recorded globally in 2016 due to chemical exposure.

This number is expected to rise as global chemical production is projected to triple by 2050