Join the big conversation in tackling NCDs burden

Dar es Salaam. Mwananchi Communications Limited (MCL) has launched a Thought Leadership forum that intends to bring together stakeholders from different sectors to discuss various issues impacting the country and suggest the way forward.

The first forum will be held today from 9pm to 11pm at Kisenga Hall, LAPF plaza in Kijitonyama area in the city.

It will bring together government leaders, policy makers, different stakeholders diplomats, experts, companies and institution CEO’s, students as well as all citizens with an intention to bringing changes.

Speaking yesterday during the launch, the MCL Managing Director, Mr Francis Nanai said the focus is to have a discussion on issues that affect the country’s earning and find solution instead of pointing fingers.

“The focus is to determine the challenges and bring together recommendation that will be raised and afterward seek the way forward without pointing fingers at anyone,” said Mr Nanai.

The first discussion according to Mr Nanai will focus on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and its challenges giving people an opportunity to widen their perspectives on the disease.

“The first debate which is themed ‘Our Health, Our Lifestyle’ will be based on the challenges that are associated with Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) due to growing impacts of the disease among Tanzanians,” he said.

Mr Nanai said together with health stakeholders as well as NCDs experts the forum will provide a platform for detailed discussion on challenges of NCDs and the impacts.

“The most important focus of the forum is to recommend solution that will help solve the challenges associated with NCDs, and the government and policy makers to work on the recommendation that have been made,” he said.

After the discussion and recommendation are made, the forum will collect all the feedback and a report on what should be done will be drafted and handed over to the health ministry and other stakeholders for implementation.

The Managing Director for ITV/Radio One, Ms Joyce Mhaville, said this will be a great opportunity for citizens to participate and gain an understanding of NCDs. “Since the debate will be interactive this will give chance to people to add their understanding on the disease,” said Ms Mhaville.

In addition, she further commended MCL for coming up with the innovative forum that will reach many people and bring impact to the community and country at large.

The panelist who will grace the forum includes the Minister of Health, Community Development, Gender, Children’s and elderly Ms Ummy Mwalimu, the Chairmain of Diabetes Association of Tanzania and NCDs Alliance Prof Andrew Swai and the Director General of NIMR Prof Yunus Mgaya.

Others are Dr Faraja Chiwanga, Physician Endocrinologist at MNH and Dr Julius Mwaiselage, Executive Director of Ocean Road Cancer Institution.

The moderators will be Mr Felix Mlaki and Dr Blandina Kilama.

The partners who have made the forum possible include the Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, World Health Organisation (WHO) and ITV/Radio One who will air the event live.

The forum is sponsored by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, NMB bank together with Colosseum fitness club.