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Why Samia picked private sector gurus for anti-malaria war
President Samia Suluhu Hassan
What you need to know:
- The newly formed 19 members council selected by President Samia Suluhu Hassan is tasked to attract more resources as the country targets zero malaria by 2030
Dar es Salaam. President Samia Suluhu Hassan has enlisted top private sector players to her newly formed Tanzania End Malaria Council in her plea to ensure that members of the business community take a centre stage in bringing about innovative technologies that would effectively close the resource gaps, stakeholders said.
The newly formed 19 members council selected by President Samia Suluhu Hassan is tasked to attract more resources as the country targets zero malaria by 2030.
Launched officially on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, on World Malaria Day by Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa the council will be chaired by the executive director of Confederation of Tanzania Industries (CTI) Mr Leodegar Tenga.
Other top-notch private sector players that have been included in the council include the chairman of the Tanzania Bankers Association (TBA) Mr Theobald Sabi, the chairperson of Tanzania Private Sector Foundation (TPSF) Ms Angela Ngalula, the vice president of AngloGold Ashanti Mr Simon Shayo and local business tycoon Said Salim Bakhresa.
The Health Minister Ummy Mwalimu said, “This council is tasked to help us find resources to carry out malaria interventions, especially in the areas that did not get enough funding from the development partners,”
The formulation of this council was significant as the malaria community faces significant resource gaps over the next three years, said African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA)’s ambassador Prof. Sheila Tlou.
She said, “Already next-generation malaria commodities are rolling out across the continent, but these cost more than traditional commodities, putting more emphasis on the need for resource mobilization,”
Prof Tlou insisted that the Council will be an important mechanism for driving investment, innovation, and implementation in the country.
Other members on the list include will be Health Minister Mwalimu, Finance Minister Dr Mwigulu Nchemba, ICT Minister Nape Nnauye, and deputy permanent secretary at President’s Office – Regional Administration and Local. Government (PO-RALG) Dr Wilson Mahera Charles, Permanent Secretary General Office of the Prime Minister (Policy, Parliament and Coordination) Dr Jim Yonazi, and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism Dr Hassan Abbas.
religious leaders such as the chairperson of the Christian Council of Tanzania bishop Dr Fredrick Shoo, Islamic leader Sheikh Abubakar Zuberi, and President of Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC) Bishop Gervas Nyaisonga.
The list also includes the leader of the Rotary Club Ms Young Kimaro, Chief Executive Officer at the Benjamin W. Mkapa Foundation Dr Ellen Senkoro, e-eductaion entrepreneur Faraja Nyarandu, and two A-list artists Nasibu Abdul alias ‘Diamond Platnumz’ and Zuwena Mohamed alias ‘Shilole’ to represent the youth groups.
It is a collaborative effort
Public health specialist Dr Godfrey Swai, says ensuring the success of the council’s strategic initiative must go hand in hand with some policy changes, social research, and public health interventions.
He said while the Tanzania End Malaria Strategic Plan ends in 2026, this means the council would also need a plan that reaches 2030 which is the targeted deadline to achieve zero malaria.
“The council is a good initiative to mobilize resources and support the efforts towards ending malaria, but there are strategic interventions that are needed to support this goal,” he said.
Dr Swai also said the Tanzanian health care system is also still fragile, with policies dated back to 2007 thus raising a need for new upgraded policies that match the new strategies and healthcare needs.
He suggested that there will be a need for social research so that the council can be well-informed about the needs and gaps in specific societies.
Speaking to The Citizen the president Medical Association of Tanzania (MAT) Dr Deus Ndilanha also said while mobilizing resources will be a significant step in eradicating malaria, extensive public education and awareness must be promoted.
He said this includes information on the symptoms and transmission of malaria, the importance of preventive measures such as the use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets, and the availability of effective treatments.
“Increased public awareness ensures that individuals and communities are better able to make informed decisions about how to protect themselves and their families from malaria, it can also help to reduce the stigma associated with malaria, which can lead to improved reporting and access to care,” he said.
Pharmaceutical Society of Tanzania (PST) President Fadhil Hezekiah enlisting influential members of the public is significant to motivate positive change in the society, whether being behavioral or attracting resources.
He said due to the limited manpower in the Tanzanian healthcare system, selecting people from other sectors extends the scope of reach and captures public attention.
“In eradicating diseases there are two sides of prevention and treatment, and in the first stage of prevention it can either be medical or behavioral/social change which can be done by influential people outside the health care system,” he said.
