Tanzania, WHO vows to work closely on SDGs
DAR ES SALAAM: TANZANIA and World Health Organization (WHO) have agreed to closely collaborate in ensuring that the country effectively implements its key performance indicators (KPIs) for achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). `
This was revealed after Permanent Secretary of the Health Ministry Dr John Jingu, held talks with WHO Assistant Director-General for Data, Analytics, and Delivery for Impact Division, Dr Samira Asma, at WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are integral tools in measuring progress towards the SDGs.
They provide quantifiable and actionable data that can be used to assess and track the effectiveness of policies, interventions, and initiatives aimed at achieving the SDGs.
According to the ministry’s communication unit, a team from the WHO headquarters will join the African regional team and collaborate with health ministry experts in analysing statistics and launching specific projects to accelerate implementation towards achieving those indicators.
During the meeting, Dr Asma also commended Tanzania for its bold efforts to lower mother and child mortality, noting that the 2022 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey and Malaria Indicator Survey (2022 TDHS-MIS) implemented by the Tanzania National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) indicated an 80 per cent reduction in mortality.
This milestone resulted from the pivotal role played by the six-phase government.
It should be noted that, on December 8, last year, WHO and the Government of Ireland signed an agreement to pilot a new project that will improve ongoing efforts to strengthen health system resilience to effectively respond to emergencies in Tanzania.
The new project titled – Strengthening Health Systems Resilience for Enhanced Health Emergency Response at the Sub-national Level.
The project, worth 200, 000 Euros, is supported by the Government of Ireland and is implemented in seven regions namely, Tanga, Kigoma, Dodoma, Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar and two other high-risk regions.
The project aimed to bolster the capacity of healthcare systems, especially at the subnational level and to effectively respond to health emergencies.
The project responds to global challenges like emerging diseases, climate change impacts, and natural disasters that threaten healthcare systems.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, WHO Representative to Tanzania, Dr Charles Sagoe-Moses underscored the need to reinforce the health system’s resilience at the subnational level.
He expressed gratitude to the Government of Ireland for joining hands with WHO to support Tanzania’s efforts towards staying prepared and effectively responding to health emergencies.
“The Government of Tanzania has in the last two decades made giant strides to bolster the resilience of the health systems, but health emergencies are increasingly threatening this feat,” noted Dr Sagoe-Moses.
“Health is a huge and an incredibly important sector. We are indeed happy about this partnership which will impact and make a difference in the lives of the people of Tanzania,” he added.
