Tanzania calls for strong cross-border cooperation in combating malaria, NTDs

GENEVA: THE Minister for Health, Mohamed Mchengerwa, said the  cross-border cooperation is essential in the fight against malaria and Non-Targeted diseases (NTDs)

He said that joint actions are needed because infectious diseases do not respect national borders.

He said this at a special session held in parallel with the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva, where he stressed that border communities are still at risk from the transmission of these diseases.

Mchengerwa said that almost 40 per cent of the global burden of NTDs is in Africa, with challenges such as population migration, weak health services, and delays in treatment fueling transmission in border areas.

“Tanzania sees regional cooperation as a key pillar to achieve sustainable eradication of these diseases, in addition, the Government has continued to strengthen health services by integrating NTDs services into the primary care system,” explained Mchengerwa.

Mchengerwa said that investing in eliminating NTDs has significant economic benefits, explaining that every dollar invested can generate up to $25 in benefits through increased production and reduced treatment costs.

At the meeting, Tanzania approved an improved Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen regional cooperation against NTDs.

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He said the agreement would involve joint coordination, timely exchange of disease information, and sharing of resources with health professionals.

The minister said Tanzania is ready to collaborate with international and regional partners in strengthening health services while emphasizing the importance of aid that complements domestic efforts rather than replacing them.

Mchengerwa said Tanzania will continue to lead regional efforts so that borders become a bridge of cooperation rather than barriers, noting that the goal is to see malaria and NTDs become history in Africa