UNGA 78: Tanzania calls for equal opportunities for all

UNITED STATES , New York: Tanzania has requested the United Nations (UN) to ensure equal opportunities to developing countries in investing in pharmaceutical industries, vaccines, equipment and medical devices, as well as empowering the group to respond to disasters and emergencies.

Tanzania’s Minister for Health Ummy Mwalimu made the request when presenting the government’s declaration at the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA78) in New York on Thursday while stressing the importance of the UN to establish an equal balance in preventing, preparing and responding to ongoing disasters from around the world.

Elaborating, the Minister cited the outbreak of Covid-19 and its effects on society as a lesson learnt saying it is high time for the world to have sustainable and balanced strategies in dealing with the same.

“If one country is not safe, then none of us is safe. We need to see equality in the fight against disasters and have resolutions that will bring equality in the fight against epidemic diseases as well as health emergencies,” the minister said.

Additionally, Minister Ummy said one of the strategies to increase health security is through health service providers at the community level saying that their contribution in monitoring and managing health activities at the primary level is great.

At the meeting, she seized the opportunity to explain to the various delegates on the outbreak of Marburg virus in Tanzania and how the government succeeded in fighting against the diseases that lasted for a period of only three months in Kagera region.