Govt, World Vision partner to combat child intestinal infections

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Medical Stores Department (MSD), through the Ministry of Health, has received a donation of two million Albendazole tablets worth 551.8m/- from World Vision Tanzania as part of efforts to support the government in the fight against intestinal worm infections among children.

Speaking during the handover ceremony in Dar es Salaam yesterday, Pharmacist Abdallah Abdi Mushi, representing the Chief Government Pharmacist, said that the donation will contribute to improving children’s health through the Child Health and Nutrition Month campaigns held in June and December.

“This donation is clear evidence of a strong commitment to improving public health, especially child health, through the Child Health and Nutrition Month campaigns held in June and December every year,” said Mr Mushi.

Mr Mushi said that Albendazole is a critical drug in the prevention and treatment of intestinal worms, which significantly affect nutrition, growth and cognitive development among children under the age of five.

He added that the contribution of these drugs from World Vision Tanzania has come at the right time, as the Ministry of Health, through the Department of Pharmaceutical Services and the Nutrition Unit, is preparing for the December campaign.

Mr Mushi said: “When preparing for the December Child Health and Nutrition campaigns, we include the provision of Vitamin A, deworming tablets (Albendazole) and nutritional assessments for children under five years across the country.”

He added that the support will directly strengthen collaboration between the ministry and health stakeholders, including World Vision Tanzania, in tackling public health challenges, advancing universal health coverage and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

On his part, a representative of the World Vision Country Director, Associate Director of Public Engagement, Faith and Development, Dr Joseph Mitinje said that in collaboration with their partners from the United States, World Vision Tanzania has been contributing medicines to MSD for several years to enhance child health in the country.

ALSO READ: MSD upgrades storage facilities to boost service

“Together with our partners from the United States, World Vision has been able to contribute a total of two million tablets worth more than 500m/-, which will be used to improve child health in Tanzania through the Child Health and Nutrition Month campaign scheduled for December 2025,” said Dr Mitinje.

The campaign emphasises that ending malnutrition in Tanzania is possible if everyone takes responsibility, with the intention of eradicating child malnutrition in the country.