ZANZIBAR : ZANZIBAR in collaboration with China has launched a campaign to eliminate schistosomiasis on Unguja Island, following the successful completion of a similar initiative in Pemba.
Speaking at the launch ceremony held at the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Monitoring Centre in Lumumba, Unguja Urban, Deputy Minister for Health, Mr Hassan Khamis Hafidh, praised the significant progress made in controlling the disease in Pemba. “China has moved from being just a friend China is now our brother.
We sincerely thank the China-Aid Schistosomiasis Control Project team for their invaluable contributions to eliminating schistosomiasis, also known as bilharzia, in Pemba Island,” Mr Hafidh said.
He expressed optimism that the success in Pemba would be replicated in Unguja, where the newly launched two-year pilot project will begin in Kinyasini and Bandamaji two Shehias (administrative areas) in the northern region of the island. NTDs Project Manager for Zanzibar Dr Shaali Makeme Ame, explained that the threeyear initiative in Pemba, which began in 2023, had already yielded positive results.
He said that the same intervention strategies would now be implemented in Unguja to eliminate the disease.
ALSO READ: Zanzibar’s progress rooted in unity, solidarity, says Isles VP
However, Dr Ame highlighted several challenges that must be addressed, including low drug coverage and compliance in some areas, development of anthelmintic resistance, limited involvement of key sectors such as the Zanzibar Water Authority (ZAWA) and insufficient financial resources and domestic funding.
“We are still waiting for the Tanzanian government to fulfil the pledge made by President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan during a health summit in Kigali, Rwanda. She promised a 3 million US dollar contribution to support the fight against NTDs nationwide,” Dr Ame added.
The launch event brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from ZAWA, World Health Organisation, the Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA), the Land Commission and the Zanzibar Health Research Institute (ZAHRI), all of whom pledged to collaborate in combating schistosomiasis.
China’s Consul General in Zanzibar, Mr Li Qianghua, reaffirmed China’s commitment to supporting Zanzibar in eliminating the disease. He also praised the efforts of the Chinese medical team for their achievements in Pemba.
Additionally, Mr Yang Kun from the Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases presented an overview of the disease’s history and development in Zanzibar.
He stressed that work in Unguja has already commenced and urged affected communities to cooperate fully in achieving the project’s goals. Schistosomiasis, or bilharzia, is a parasitic disease caused by blood flukes.
It is commonly associated with poverty and affects people who come into contact with contaminated freshwater.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), approximately two million people worldwide are affected by NTDs, including schistosomiasis.
Very interesting points you have mentioned, regards for putting up. “I don’t know what you could say about a day in which you have seen four beautiful sunsets.” by John Glenn.
Hello, Neat post. There is an issue with your site in internet explorer, would test this?K IE still is the market chief and a large part of other folks will miss your fantastic writing due to this problem.
Valuable information. Lucky me I found your website by accident, and I am shocked why this accident didn’t happened earlier! I bookmarked it.
Hello my family member! I want to say that this post is awesome, nice written and include approximately all vital infos. I would like to look more posts like this.
I reckon something genuinely interesting about your website so I saved to bookmarks.
I am constantly thought about this, thanks for posting.
You have mentioned very interesting points! ps nice site. “Ask me no questions, and I’ll tell you no fibs.” by Oliver Goldsmith.
Hi, Neat post. There’s a problem with your website in internet explorer, would test this… IE still is the market leader and a big portion of people will miss your great writing because of this problem.
Very interesting information!Perfect just what I was looking for!
Way cool, some valid points! I appreciate you making this article available, the rest of the site is also high quality. Have a fun.
I do accept as true with all the concepts you’ve introduced to your post. They’re really convincing and will certainly work. Nonetheless, the posts are very brief for beginners. Could you please prolong them a little from subsequent time? Thanks for the post.
This is very interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger. I’ve joined your rss feed and look forward to seeking more of your excellent post. Also, I’ve shared your site in my social networks!
It?¦s really a nice and helpful piece of info. I am glad that you shared this useful info with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.
I have been browsing online greater than three hours these days, yet I never found any attention-grabbing article like yours. It’s lovely worth enough for me. In my view, if all webmasters and bloggers made just right content material as you did, the web can be much more useful than ever before.
I like what you guys are up too. Such clever work and reporting! Carry on the superb works guys I have incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it’ll improve the value of my website 🙂
Some truly excellent information, Gladiola I discovered this. “I try to avoid looking forward or backward, and try to keep looking upward.” by Charlotte Bronte.