Africa-Press – Tanzania. IN the midst of a major vaccination campaign, the government pledged that the Tanzania Medical Association (MAT) will be involved in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, with the goal of raising awareness about preventive measures.
This is in addition to President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s call on religious leaders and Non- Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to encourage people to get vaccinated against Covid-19 pandemic.
President Samia urged church leaders to launch a comprehensive campaign on the fight against Covid-19 pandemic and support vaccination campaign, in order to boost immunity and combat the development of severe infections across the country.
Speaking at the Annual NGOs Forum in Dodoma on Thursday, President Samia, urged them to join the fight against Covid-19 pandemic because they work closely with communities.
And, speaking on behalf of the Minister for Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children Dr Dorothy Gwajima on Thursday, Mwanza Regional Commissioner, Engineer Robert Gabriel, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to collaborate with MAT during the opening of their annual conference in Mwanza.
“Today (Thursday), the government has officially declared MAT to be part of the Covid-19 campaign. Medical professionals will now be fully involved in providing community members with preventative measures,” said Eng Gabriel.
He explained that the Ministry of Health decided to involve medical experts since they have a lot of experience with health issues, as well as to avoid misinformation and distortions fuelled by various non-specialists.
Eng Gabriel further urged doctors to continue educating the public on how to protect themselves against Covid-19, in order to alleviate concerns and worries regarding vaccination.
“We have provided education on the necessity of people getting vaccinated and continue to take precautions…now we’re starting to see change as people are turning up to get vaccinated,” he said.
Eng Gabriel also urged doctors to adhere to code of ethics in their profession and take action against those who breach it, saying that if they do not, people will lose faith in them. He said the government would continue increasing the budget for medicines and medical equipment, as well as build health facilities across the country, starting at the district level and progressing to regional hospitals, with the goal of bringing health services closer to the people.
As part of the Covax agreement, Tanzania received the first consignment of 1,058,450 doses of Covid-19 vaccinations from the United States in July.
In another development, Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH), Executive Director Prof Lawrence Museru has advised MAT to organise meetings at the district and regional levels to ensure the party’s longevity.
He also advised doctors in the country to pursue research on natural cures for infections like Covid-19. MAT President, Dr Shadrack Mwaibambe asked the government to evaluate the licence renewal expenses, which is now pegged at 100,000/- but could rise to 400,000/- if other costs are factored in.
The MAT meeting took place in Mwanza for two days, with several papers being presented and discussed. In July, President Samia launched the immunisation campaign, assuring citizens that the vaccines are safe.
The government had initially set up 550 vaccination centres in mainland Tanzania’s 26 regions on August 3 to begin mass vaccinations against the pandemic, before announcing this month that immunisation centres have been increased to 1,548.
