Six regions hit by cholera outbreak
DAR ES SALAAM: MINISTER for Health Ms Ummy Mwalimu has said that six regions are still facing cholera outbreak, calling upon regional commissioners and health sector executives to continue applying measures to control the spread of the disease.
The Minister made the revelation in a press conference held in Dar es Salaam, giving a report on the status of provision of health services for 2023.
Ms Mwalimu named the regions as Shinyanga, Ruvuma, Tabora, Simiyu, Mwanza and Kagera.
“To date there are six regions which are still grappling with Cholera outbreak … I would like to commend Regional Commissioners and Health sector executives at regional and council levels for continuing to strengthen supervision in order to contain the spread of the disease,” she said.
According to the minister, in 2023 cholera outbreak was reported in 12 regions of which 927 patients and 27 deaths were reported. Arusha region was leading by having 214 cases but there was no death reported while in Mara a total of 193 cases and eight deaths were reported and in Simiyu 184 cases and two deaths were reported.
Moreover, she also said in 2023 the ministry provided a total of 17.3 million doses of Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine (SP) for Malaria prevention to expectant mothers as part of efforts to improve maternal and child health services.
Minister Mwalimu emphasized the importance of the initiative that the SP doses are being provided free of charge to pregnant women aiming to ease access to crucial healthcare services, ensuring the well-being of both mothers and infants.
“In 2023, our Ministry has taken a bold step in prioritizing maternal and child health by procuring and distributing 17.3 million doses of SP, a key malaria preventive measure, to expectant mothers. This initiative is a testament to our commitment to providing accessible and quality healthcare services,” Ms Mwalimu emphasized.
The provision of free SP doses is expected to significantly reduce cases of malaria among pregnant women, ultimately safeguarding the health of both mothers and their newborns.
