Zanzibar completes key public health institute reviews
ZANZIBAR: THE Zanzibar government has completed technical reviews for the proposed Public Health Institute, marking a key stage in establishing an institution that will coordinate public health services under a single framework.
The proposed institute reached the milestone after reviews of relevant documents and an assessment of existing roles, responsibilities and systems across the health sector, with support from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Jhpiego.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr Mngereza Mzee Miraji, said the institute will bring together public health functions currently carried out by different departments and institutions within the ministry, reducing duplication and strengthening coordination.
“This process is intended to reduce duplication among institutions and departments with overlapping responsibilities, simplify coordination and improve efficiency in implementing public health programmes,” Dr Mngereza said.
He said stronger coordination would enable the government to deliver better health services and respond more effectively to public health challenges facing Zanzibar.
The initiative is being pursued alongside plans to expand specialised healthcare, including the proposed establishment of a Zanzibar Cancer Institute.
Dr Mngereza said formal discussions on establishing the cancer institute are expected to begin this year, while legal procedures required to establish the institution are also underway.
He said partnerships with organisations working in the health sector remain critical in providing the technical expertise and experience needed to establish both institutions in line with Zanzibar’s priorities and internationally recognised standards.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health has received 22 tablets from Jhpiego to strengthen the collection and management of data on cancer patients, particularly those receiving breast and cervical cancer services.
The devices will enable health workers to capture patient information from community and primary healthcare facilities through to district and regional hospitals before linking the records to the Zan AMR system, creating a unified platform for tracking patients across different levels of care.
Dr Mngereza said reliable patient data would help the government plan the availability of medicines, medical equipment, health professionals and other resources needed to strengthen cancer services.
He said the Eighth-Phase Government has also intensified investment in cancer care, including the ongoing construction of a specialised cancer hospital at Binguni, which is expected to be completed within 18 months.
Jhpiego’s BEAT Breast Cancer Project Director, Dr Mary Rose Giattas, said the donated tablets would improve patient tracking and help health authorities identify service gaps.
“The information will help health authorities track patients, assess the number of people reached by services, identify gaps and make informed decisions on improving cancer care,” Dr Giattas said.
She said Jhpiego will train health workers to ensure patient information is entered accurately and on time, supporting more effective breast and cervical cancer services across Zanzibar.
