Africa-Press – Tanzania. TANZANIA has recorded 29 deaths since the country was hit by the third wave of the Covid-19, with 176 new cases of the pandemic reported in one day (Thursday), making the total of patients who have so far contracted the viral infection to reach 858.
Minister for Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, Dr Dorothy Gwajima told journalists yesterday in Dar es Salaam that although the government has been insisting to the public on the importance of taking all necessary precaution against the pandemic, most people are still reluctant.
“We have learnt that there has been laxity in implementing various interventions for preventing further the spread of Covid -19… the situation is partly contributed by failure of some leaders at different levels to fulfill their responsibilities and unofficial reports which mislead the public,” she said.
The minister cautioned that the government will not tolerate any negligence by some leaders in leading the fight against the pandemic.
“The government is making follow ups on directives it has issued, and any leader who will not fulfill his or her responsibilities will be reported to relevant authorities for further action,” she said.
On Thursday, the government directed regional and district commissioners to collaborate with medical officers and execute their duties by abiding by health laws and rules.
The minister noted that the fight against Covid-19 involves every member in the society and sectors, therefore all people should unite to fight the pandemic by observing various reports issued by experts and educate others, and for leaders to explain to the people the importance of implementing various interventions to prevent further spread.
Dr Gwajima stressed on the importance of observing health rules, including, washing hands with water and soap, or hand sanitizer, wearing face mask, avoid overcrowding, eat well and report to health centres in case of any symptom related to the disease.
The minister said that it is high time all government officials in their respective areas ensure that citizens are observing health regulations by taking right precautions to combat further spread. Dr Gwajima also directed that all public and private offices should have hand washing facilities and enforce the rule that people should wear face masks and maintain safe distance.
“Delta variant is deadly and it infects people of all ages, therefore people must think twice before engaging in unnecessary gatherings. We must also protect the most vulnerable groups,” she said.
Meanwhile, the minister said that the first batch of covid-19 vaccine has already arrived in the country, adding that the process of administering the vaccines will be announced later today. She said that at the beginning, the Covax shots will be prioritised to those at higher risks of contracting the disease, including elders and frontline health workers.
“We target to vaccinate up to 60 per cent of Tanzanians, depending on the vaccines which will be received, and I insist that the vaccination is voluntary,” she said.
She cautioned members of the public to avoid paying attention to what she called ‘stray/ghost journalists’ who are spreading misleading information about Coivid -19 viruses and vaccines.
The minister said that false information was being spread through social media, which misleads people from taking precautions, a situation which endangers the public’s decision in fighting the disease. For his part, the ministry’s Director of Preventive Services, Dr Leonard Subi said citizens should be aware that vaccines are the only way of safeguarding lives from infectious diseases, including the virus.
He said that it was normal for viruses to mutate, therefore vaccines were the right way of ending them. He gave an example of diseases which have been completely wiped out through vaccines, like polio and smallpox.
“Signing the consent form before taking a vaccine is not a new thing in medical fields, and it should not be regarded as evidence that the vaccine wasn’t effective or may cause some side effects. People are guided to make right and informed choices,” he insisted.
