A total of 29 districts in northern Tanzania are to be involved in a programme to screen school children for common diseases.The initiative supports the government in implementing the Most Vulnerable Coordinated Care Programme, dubbed Pamoja Tuwalee, the Swahili words literally meaning ‘Let’s raise them together’.

The pilot School Health Assessment Programme is to be executed by World Education Inc, an Arusha-based non-governmental organisation, and four other organisations supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).  

The other organisations implementing the initiative, which is supported by the US President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR) through USAID Tanzania are: Africare (Central Zone), Pact (Lake Zone) and Family Health International –FHI (Coastal Zone).

It is impressive that the programme intends to nip the problem in the bud by reaching children in primary schools. This is the age when the children are in their teens and know little or nothing about good health and their bodies.
Disease is among three common enemies that Tanzania vowed to fight head-on right from the time this country gained independence from Britain in December 1961. The others are ignorance and illiteracy.

But 50 years on, the war against these enemies seems to elude solution. The battle is far from over and it does not appear there will be an end any time soon. This is why efforts to find a solution to these enemies should get the support of all and sundry.

So far, a total of 10,000 school children have been screened for common diseases under the programme that is among four components of the School Integrated Programme (BSIP), known as ‘Bantwana’.  But we suggest that it should not end in the 29 districts of Tanzania’s northern zone. The health of our children is of paramount importance, and it should ultimately be extended to the entire country. Disease knows no boundaries, after all.

For, when all is said and done, raising healthy children is raising a healthy nation. We owe our children this basic right.

Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites