Africa-Press – Tanzania. SENIOR officers from United Nations (UN) agencies operating in country yesterday launched the 76 anniversary of the UN celebration programme by convening a press conference during which, they explained that although the Covid-19 had devastating impact on social, economic and political life globally, there are some benefits Zanzibar recorded.
The UN day celebrations started in Tanzania mainland last Saturday, but for Zanzibar it started yesterday and is scheduled to end tomorrow at the Sheikh Idriss Abdulwakil Hall. It will be graced by President Hussein Mwinyi.
Speaking at the joint press conference held here as one the events to mark the UN Day in Zanzibar, the officers said the Isles people and their government had benefits from the pandemic, also include support to strengthen health system which also include improvement of the services and training/capacity building of medical staffs.
“Zanzibar also had support of experts, equipment, finance and use of Information Communication Technology (ICT),” Dr Vendelini Simon from the World Health Organization (WHO) informed journalists.
Other officers were Ms Amina Kheri from UNFPA, Dr Emma Basimiki from WHO, Mr Ahmed Tashid from UNICEF, and Ms Timah Twalipo.
Prior to the climax, a number of commemorative activities including a beach clean-up activity by UN officials and government in partnership with environment and health actors in the Isles have been arranged.
There was also be an educational outreach conducted in Lumumba and Benbela Secondary schools in Zanzibar, tree planting and exhibition by UN and Young entrepreneurs.
United Nations Day is commemorated globally on 24 October, to mark the anniversary of the day in 1945 when the UN Charter entered into force.
UN Day, celebrated every year, offers the opportunity to amplify our common agenda as UN Member States and reaffirm the purposes and principles of the UN Charter that have guided us for the past 76 years.
The chosen theme in Tanzania for this year’s UN Day is ‘Building Back with Better Health Systems”. This theme is in line with key global targets for achieving Sustainable Development Goal number three on Good Health and Well Being. The theme is therefore focused on reviewing existing health systems so that they can better respond to pandemics like Covid-19 and health related emergencies for a Sustainable future.
Currently countries including Tanzania are slowly recovering from the effects of Covid-19. According to the 2021 SDGs report, 90 per cent of countries are still reporting disruptions to essential health services due to Covid-19. The report encourages the rebuilding of health systems that are prepared for future shocks, such as public health emergencies.
The officers said that as the UN in Tanzania winds up its second phase of the Development plan in Tanzania, namely the UN Development Assistance Plan-UNDAP II(2016-2021), UN agencies recognize that access to health care is not only a basic human right, but it is also essential for the prosperity of communities and the nation at large.
They mentioned some of the notable contributions of UN Tanzania in the health sector over the years include contributing to strengthen health systems by helping to build, re-construct and equip health facilities. Building and renovating clinics and dispensaries, some in very remote areas of the country, and providing them with facilities to ensure women can safely give birth and their newborn children have access to the care they need.
In 2022, The United Nations in Tanzania will adopt the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (SDCF). Health and resilience will be incorporated in that Framework. This will be the most important planning and implementation instrument for UN development activities within the country, translating the vision of Tanzania into UN actions and impacts on the ground.
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