Category: The Citizen

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania will be represented by four young cyclists at the Grand Nairobi Jubilee ‘Live Free’ Race 2025, set for October 5 in Nairobi, Kenya.

Organised by Jubilee Insurance, the event promotes healthy living, youth empowerment, and regional sporting unity. The Grand Nairobi Jubilee ‘Live Free’ Race 2025 is among East Africa’s premier cycling events, attracting competitors from across the region.

For Tanzania it presents an important platform to strengthen the country’s cycling culture and allow emerging athletes to compete internationally. The Tanzanian contingent comprises three men and one woman, selected through a rigorous national process by the Tanzania Cycling Association (TCA).

The participants are Ms Asnat Moris, Mr Frank Marik, Mr Hassan Sharif, and Mr Waziri Masoli. The Talent Development Committee at TCA, Chairperson, Dr Judith Mashala, said the team was chosen from a wide pool of talent identified through competitions held over the past two years.

“We are sending four young cyclists to represent Tanzania at the Grand Nairobi Jubilee ‘Live Free’ Race 2025. Our association organises competitions across the country, and these cyclists have proven themselves as the most capable,” she said. She noted the athletes recently competed in Rwanda and are now intensively preparing for Nairobi.

“This race is not just about competition. It promotes health, wellness, and community development,” she added.

Jubilee Health Insurance Chief Executive Officer, Dr Harold Adamson, said the partnership with TCA reflects the company’s commitment to the event and to youth development. “Our flag will fly high.

We are preparing well with this team of four. Sport promotes health and well-being, and we are creating opportunities for people to exercise and live healthier lives,” said Dr Adamson.

Jubilee Life Insurance Corporate Financial Officer, Mr Hillary Godson, emphasised the company’s commitment to youth through sport. “We are dedicated to standing with young people and helping them achieve their dreams.

Exercise is vital for daily life, enabling youth to live freely and without stress,” he said. “We work with communities to nurture talent.

Sport is talent, and we support the government’s efforts to empower youth through self-employment,” he added. The Grand Nairobi Jubilee ‘Live Free’ Race 2025 is expected to draw strong participation this year, with athletes from Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania vying for honours.

The event combines sport with community engagement, underscoring the values of unity, health, and youth development. For Tanzania, participation in the race is part of a broader strategy to raise the profile of cycling, nurture local talent, and inspire the next generation of sportspeople.

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Dar es Salaam. The Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (Ewura) has cautioned entrepreneurs planning to establish petrol stations across the country to secure official construction permits before commencing work, warning that failure to comply could result in heavy penalties.

The warning came in a press statement issued on Friday, October 3, 2025, during a consultative meeting in Iringa, amid reports that some investors, particularly in rural districts, were rushing to build stations without following due process. Ewura said such practices undermine regulatory standards and pose safety, health, and environmental risks.

Ewura Central Zone Manager, Ms Hawa Lweno, told stakeholders from the downstream petroleum, electricity, and water sectors that anyone intending to build a petrol station must first obtain a construction permit from the authority. “Failure to comply with this legal requirement will attract a fine of up to Sh20 million,” she stressed.

Ms Lweno explained that the permit process is more than a formality, noting that it enables Ewura’s technical teams to inspect sites to ensure compliance with national standards, including fire safety systems, environmental protection measures, and safe distances from schools, hospitals, and residential areas. “This permit is essential because it allows our experts to confirm that construction meets the required health, safety, and environmental benchmarks,” she added.

The government has recently encouraged investment in fuel retailing, particularly in underserved rural areas where access to reliable energy remains a challenge. However, officials insist growth must be orderly.

Observers note a surge in applications to build fuel stations, driven by expanding road networks and growing demand for transport and logistics. Yet, unregulated construction risks accidents, fuel leakages, and breaches of urban planning laws.

At the Iringa meeting, one participant, Mr David Mlyapatali, praised Ewura’s outreach, saying many entrepreneurs enter the fuel retail business without understanding their obligations. “This meeting has been very beneficial because it has given us clarity on the procedures and our responsibilities,” he said.

Under the Petroleum Act and Ewura regulations, investors must first apply for a construction permit and undergo technical reviews before receiving an operating licence. Noncompliance can lead to fines, closure orders, or legal action.

Ms Lweno emphasised that Ewura welcomes investment but will not compromise on safety. “Follow the law first.

Doing so protects your business and the community you serve,” she stressed. The Iringa session is part of Ewura’s nationwide drive to sensitise fuel station investors about construction and operational rules, signalling clearly that shortcuts will not be tolerated.

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Arusha. The East African Business Council (EABC) has officially launched a digital information desk to assist small-scale cross-border traders in overcoming non-tariff barriers (NTBs), a persistent obstacle to regional trade within the East African Community (EAC).

The launch, which was held on Thursday, October 2, 2025, at the TavetaHolili border, coincided with a three-day training programme titled “Capacity Building on Financial Literacy, Business Management and Gender-Sensitive Practices in Cross-Border Trade.” The training brought together more than 100 traders dealing in agricultural produce, vegetables, and fruits from the border region.

EABC’s Research, Policy and Trade in Goods Officer, Mr Gift Mbuya, told reporters that the initiative is part of the “Promoting Intra-EAC Agri-Food Cross-Border Trade by Addressing Non-Tariff Barriers to Trade.” Project.

“This project seeks to increase the participation of women and youth-led agri-food traders and boost the volume of cross-border trade, particularly in maize, rice, beans, soybeans, and horticultural products along selected EAC trade corridors,” said Mr Mbuya. The three-year project (20252027), implemented by EABC in partnership with the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), aims to empower about 2,440 women and youth traders across the region.

It focuses on reducing the cost and time of trade by eliminating NTBs, strengthening traders’ knowledge of trade facilitation instruments such as the Simplified Trade Regime (STR), and expanding access to digital trade portals and information booths at border points. The initiative is backed by a $399,900 grant from AGRA, with funding support from the Mastercard Foundation and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF).

Implementation involves close collaboration with the Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (TCCIA), with EABC serving as lead coordinator. AGRA, an African-led and farmer-centred institution, is committed to transforming African agriculture from subsistence-based production into a commercially viable sector that enhances food security, nutrition, and household incomes.

During the training, the Deputy Director of Regional Integration at the EAC Affairs Ministry, Ms Mary Maisory, said that despite progress in reducing customs tariffs within the bloc, NTBs remain a major hindrance. “Traders still face delays in cargo clearance, unnecessary inspections, uncoordinated procedures, and limited awareness of trade documentation and standards,” said Ms Maisory.

“Building capacity and confidence among traders will help them understand the EAC’s STR, sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS), product standards, and how to report and resolve NTBs,” she added. She said addressing NTBs, strengthening cross-border infrastructure, and ensuring women and youth benefit fully from EAC opportunities are essential for the region’s economic growth.

“Empowering small-scale cross-border traders is not just about boosting trade, it is about transforming lives, uplifting communities, and building an inclusive and sustainable East African Community,” she said. Furthermore, Ms Maisory called on participants to make full use of the training sessions, networking opportunities, and policy discussions to advance their businesses and contribute to the prosperity of their nations.

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Dar es Salaam. From modest beginnings, the Tanzania Health Summit (THS) has grown into a force shaping the national health agenda, bringing together leading minds to devise solutions for the country’s most pressing medical challenges.

The 12th THS 2025, held from October 1 to 3 in Dar es Salaam, drew more than 1,500 participants from within and outside Tanzania, underscoring its stature as a platform for innovation, collaboration, and reform. Speaking to The Citizen on Friday, October 3, 2025, THS Board Chairperson, Dr Chakou Halfani Tindwa, said the initiative has become a driver of change in the health sector.

“We have become a catalyst for technology adoption in hospitals, for stronger scientific collaboration, and for development projects,” he said. Established during the Kikwete administration and sustained under Presidents Magufuli and Samia Suluhu Hassan, THS has served as a platform for knowledge exchange and accelerated improvements in healthcare delivery.

According to Dr Tindwa, THS has had a tangible impact on cost, quality, and access. Stakeholder participation has risen sharply, with numbers climbing from around 500 in its early years to between 1,500 and 1,700 annually today.

International engagement has also expanded, from 15 foreign delegates at the start to about 300 this year, including 11 ambassadors. “This shows how the summit has distinguished itself,” he said, noting that government support reflects recognition of its value.

Capacity building is a key pillar of THS: “Every year, we train over 100 people. This year, we trained 150, who will return to rural districts and become leaders in their health systems.

” By investing in people, the summit ensures that improvements extend to remote areas, not only Dar es Salaam. This year’s summit aligned with a broader government drive to digitise healthcare.

At the opening, Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary, Dr Seif Shekalaghe, announced that a Digital Health Strategy 20252030 is being prepared. The strategy will integrate artificial intelligence, safeguard data privacy, and expand digital literacy among health workers.

“Digital innovation will transform the health sector and help save lives,” he said. Dr Shekalaghe linked the summit’s theme, Harnessing Data Utilisation and Technologies to Accelerate Universal Health Coverage, to Tanzania’s goal of ensuring equitable access to healthcare.

“Data and technology are no longer luxuries in healthcare but indispensable tools,” he stressed. Experts agreed that THS has become vital in aligning health policy with practice.

Public health specialist and digital health advocate, Dr Eunis Mremi, described the summit as a bridge between different stakeholders. “This summit provides technicians, clinicians, policymakers, and donors with a shared space.

That alignment is vital if we are to scale innovations, especially in rural districts,” she said. Health systems economist, Mr Juma Mwakyusa, highlighted THS’s role in tackling fragmentation.

“Silos remain a persistent challenge. When NGOs, hospitals, and governments meet under one roof, we can harmonise digital systems, standards, data definitions, and procurement plans.

That is what THS enhances,” he said. A major achievement has been advancing interoperability, allowing hospital systems, laboratories, logistics, and health information platforms to communicate seamlessly.

This enhances datadriven planning, reduces duplication, and improves resource efficiency Operating as a non-profit, THS’s mission is to promote healthcare for disadvantaged communities. Over the years, it has grown into Tanzania’s largest annual health platform.

Its stature, according to Dr Tindwa, has given it legitimacy and increasing self-sustainability, with local contributions and revenue now covering more of its costs. “We are not just convening.

We are building leaders, connecting innovators, and improving services across the country,” he said. If its momentum is sustained, Tanzania’s health sector, and the people it serves, stand to gain significantly.

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Unguja. The NCCR-Mageuzi presidential candidate for Zanzibar, Ms Laila Rajab Khamis, has pledged to tackle unemployment, enhance healthcare provisions, and significantly boost trade across the islands if elected.

Ms Khamis made the declaration on Friday, October 3, 2025, during the official launch of the party’s campaign at the Nego Kibanda Maiti Grounds in the Mjini Magharibi Region. Acknowledging the incumbent government’s existing achievements, Ms Khamis stated that the NCCR ticket intended to deliver far greater progress.

“If we come to power, we shall ensure health services improve and that Zanzibari children are educated to become champions,” she affirmed. She emphasised that employment goes beyond mere job creation, extending to improved remuneration.

“We shall employ citizens within their own areas and increase salaries by 80 percent,” she promised. Ms Khamis addressed the persistent unemployment crisis, stating that the NCCR Mageuzi government would construct numerous factories to eliminate the problem.

“We urge you to vote for us so you may witness the great things we shall achieve once we assume office,” she stated. She pledged that, if elected, she would establish Unguja’s finest market and reinstate crucial loans for traders within her first 100 days in office.

“Mothers, this shall mark the end of your struggles. I will establish a large market here at Kibanda Maiti, unlike anything seen previously, where every trader can bring their goods in their own vehicles,” said Ms Khamis.

Earlier, the party’s running mate for the Union presidency, Ms Eveline Munisi, stated their central goal is to introduce reforms across all sectors in Tanzania. Ms Munisi argued that Zanzibar is economically wealthy, yet its populace does not reap the full benefits.

“Zanzibar has extensive fisheries, but no one benefits. We have come to bring change; we shall provide modern boats for all fishermen,” she declared.

Ms Munisi confirmed the party plans to build an inclusive economy to ensure unemployment is no longer a grievance among Zanzibari youth. “Tourism is performing well, but youth do not benefit.

We shall ensure inclusive growth so that young people gain. The education you possess is sufficient; you should not struggle further.

NCCR-Mageuzi is here to end your complaints,” she stressed. She added that no investment would proceed without significant youth participation, guaranteeing that no future grievances arise.

The party would also empower women by granting them the necessary loans, thereby ending the cycle of exploitative borrowing practices. “When we speak of economic growth, we must view it from the perspective of every Zanzibari, not just as a statistical figure in a report.

When the economy grows, even essential medicines will be provided free of charge,” she maintained. On healthcare, she insisted it is not merely about constructing large physical facilities, but about fundamentally improving service delivery.

“The one party capable of delivering this is only NCCR-Mageuzi. We shall ensure there are sufficient doctors and nurses, and that medicines are readily available in all hospitals,” she confirmed.

Regarding peace, Ms Munisi said they have endeavoured hard to maintain stability, which is why they seek a mandate to organise and improve life for Zanzibaris so that peace endures through the development of a ‘Blue Economy’. “We want to see Zanzibari prosperity for all,” she said.

NCCR’s Deputy Secretary-General in Zanzibar, Mr Ameir Mshindani, said that if elected, they would end the denial of crucial identity cards to rightful Zanzibaris and ensure that local youth are employed in the tourism sector, replacing foreign workers. Deputy Secretary-General for Mainland Tanzania, Mr Martini Mgogo, said their first official agenda is achieving national consensus because currently every group pursues its own distinct agenda.

He stressed that the Union’s existence cannot be merely a single party’s policy, but rather requires agreement through extensive dialogue and genuine consensus. .

Dar es Salaam. As global temperatures rise, new research has found that growing trees alongside crops could protect millions of Tanzanian farmers from the life-threatening health impacts of extreme heat.

The Kisiki Hai Sustainable Heat Adaptation Development (KISHADE) project has produced the first scientific evidence showing that trees within croplands can significantly reduce heat stress among agricultural workers. The study was conducted in four Dodoma Region districts: Chamwino, Bahi, Kongwa, and Mpwapwa, aimed to evaluate heat adaptation interventions to help manage heat’s health effects.

The research is a collaboration with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, the University of Dar es Salaam, the University of Dodoma, Muhimbili National Hospital, and MetaMeta. The findings, presented on Friday, October 3, 2025, at the sideline meeting of the 12th Tanzania Health Summit, were made possible through the LEAD Foundation.

An internal medicine specialist and Director of Curative Services at Muhimbili National Hospital, Dr Faraja Chiwanga, who leads the project under LEAD, said the aim is to determine whether agroforestry can improve farmers’ health by transforming their immediate environment. “For years, farmers engaged in the Kisiki Hai (Live Stump) programme, which has restored more than 30 million trees across 260,000 households, have reported that trees offer natural cooling.

The KISHADE project is scientifically testing that claim,” she said. Dr Chiwanga noted that the project, the first of its kind in Tanzania, is funded by the Wellcome Trust and seeks to provide concrete data rather than anecdotal evidence on the health benefits of agroforestry.

With over 70 percent of Tanzania’s workforce engaged in agriculture and exposed to extreme outdoor conditions, the study aims to answer a pressing question: Can trees shield farmers from deadly heat? “The need for this research is dire. Farmers are increasingly vulnerable to heat-related illnesses such as dehydration, chronic kidney disease, and cardiovascular strain,” said Dr Chiwanga.

“The absence of shade or cooling infrastructure makes heat stress a major obstacle to both well-being and productivity,” she added. Researchers are using innovative tools to gather evidence as farmers are observed in their daily routines while wearing sensors that monitor body temperature and heart rate.

She said urine and blood samples are also analysed to assess long-term health impacts. By comparing data from farmers practising agroforestry with those who do not, and using advanced climate sensors, the team sought to determine precisely how trees help protect health.

Head of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at the University of Dar es Salaam and co-researcher, Dr Richard Sambaiga, said community participation was crucial. “Farmers have welcomed the wearable technology, showing strong engagement.

Ethical approvals were secured without difficulty, and the detailed weather data collected in the first phase has laid a solid foundation for the next stages,” he said. He emphasised that community sensitisation and involvement have been central to the project’s early success.

Beyond the immediate findings, KISHADE is also strengthening local capacity by training young Tanzanian researchers in advanced scientific and field methods, ensuring long-term benefits. The project’s outcomes are expected to influence not only farmers but also policymakers, health professionals, and government agencies.

Non-governmental organisations and international partners stand to benefit from new insights into nature-based climate adaptation. At the same time, donors will gain evidence on the value of investing in environmental and health resilience.

The data on microclimates and human health will contribute to global research on planetary health, with lessons applicable in other heat-stressed regions. Farmers are already noticing changes, as Mr Henry Mubi from Kongwa District in Dodoma says, “The heat is unbearable.

It shortens our working hours and makes farming harder.” “We suffer headaches, fatigue, and dizziness.

With fewer working hours, income falls too. But crops planted in shaded areas survive longer during heatwaves,” he added.

An occupational health expert from the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Ivan Ivanov, described the research as a landmark effort. “This is a vital contribution to understanding how nature-based solutions can safeguard human health in a warming world,” he said.

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Dar es Salaam. Tanzania is increasing its investment in digital health and data-driven technologies to accelerate progress toward achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary, Dr Seif Shekalaghe, revealed that the government is drafting the Digital Health Strategy 20252030, which will prioritise integrating artificial intelligence, strengthening data privacy, and expanding digital literacy training for health workers. He made the remarks at the official opening of the 12th Tanzania Health Summit (THS), emphasising that digital innovation will transform the health sector and help save lives.

“This year’s theme, Harnessing Data Utilisation and Technologies to Accelerate Universal Health Coverage, is timely and aligned with our national vision. Data and technology are no longer luxuries but essential tools in modern healthcare,” he said.

Dr Shekalaghe stressed that the government is determined to achieve UHC by 2030. “We want to ensure no one is denied essential services or pushed into poverty by medical costs,” he added. National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) Arusha manager, Mr Hipoliti Lello, said the fund is ready for UHC registration, having developed strategies to make enrolment more convenient.

He noted that digital innovation is key to expanding access. “So far, we have covered only 15 percent of the population, while 85 percent remain outside the scheme.

This requires major effort to reach the rest,” he said. Mr Lello added, “NHIF is optimistic that digital transformation will help address UHC challenges.

We have already introduced a platform enabling individuals and organisations to enrol and manage their insurance plans.” He explained that clients or organisations no longer need to visit NHIF offices physically, as registration, plan selection, and payments can now be done digitally.

“Previously, people had to submit National Identification Cards (NIDA) and hard copies of documents. With this integration, customers will not need to visit our offices.

Doctors must also verify their qualifications before treating NHIF members, and only licensed practitioners can process claims,” he said. He noted that NHIF has reduced the cost and time for producing IDs by adopting e-cards and Nida numbers.

“We are also exploring mobile numbers to identify members at health facilities,” he added. He said the previous cost of producing IDs, about $5, has been cut, while biometric recognition using fingerprints and facial scans will further ease access and reduce complaints about delayed membership cards.

Director of information and communication technology (ICT) at the President’s Office, Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG), Mr Eric Kitali, said embracing technology is essential for achieving UHC. “AI will not replace humans.

Rather, humans are AI. It is therefore important to adopt and adapt emerging technologies to move forward,” he said.

United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) representative, Mr Mark Schreiner, urged the government to scale up investment in digital health to accelerate UHC, warning that reduced donor funding requires greater domestic financing. “The government must take decisive steps to strengthen health financing, including innovative schemes such as health insurance and health taxes,” he said, citing the HIV Response Levy and its allocation to the AIDS Trust Fund as a strong example of local commitment.

He also highlighted the role of public-private partnerships in bringing agility and investment to the health sector, while urging the use of disaggregated data to tackle inequalities and strengthen accountability. “Let this summit be a springboard for bold action.

With government leadership, private sector innovation and development partner solidarity, Tanzania can build a resilient, data-driven health system that delivers quality care to all,” he said. Earlier reports indicate that the government is implementing flagship innovations, such as the m-mama emergency transport system, which utilizes a toll-free line and mobile app to coordinate transportation for expectant mothers and newborns in distress.

The initiative, rolled out nationwide last year, is expected to reach more than 50,000 women and infants annually. In pilot regions, it cut maternal deaths by up to 27 percent.

Another milestone is Jamii ni Afya, Zanzibar’s digital community health programme, the first of its kind globally to be government-led at full national scale. The programme connects households with digitally equipped community health volunteers, ensuring nearly all 1.

9 million Zanzibaris have access to doorstep healthcare. .

Dar es Salaam. When President Samia Suluhu Hassan pledged to “remove the water bucket from the woman’s head,” her words signalled a shift in Tanzania’s water policy.

That vision is now materialising, with the government investing heavily in water supply through more than 100 projects nationwide. Among them are 25 strategic schemes worth S.

15 trillion, designed to permanently address water scarcity in both urban and rural communities, according to data from the Ministry of Water. From Arusha to Mtwara, Tabora to Kigoma, Dodoma to Dar es Salaam, the projects are easing the burden of water collection, long carried by women and children.

The Arusha Water Supply Project, costing Sh520 billion, benefits about 850,000 residents by producing 200 million litres daily. Completion will see urban water access rise to 91.6 percent, while rural coverage reaches 83 percent.

The government aims for 95 percent urban and 85 percent rural access by 2030. In Kilimanjaro and Tanga, the SameMwangaKorogwe Project worth S06 billion serves 300,000 residents with 51.65 million litres daily. The Kidunda Dam in Morogoro (Sh335 billion) will serve 6.

77 million people by storing 190 billion litres and stabilising Ruvu River flows, reinforcing supply to Dar es Salaam and Coast Region. The TaboraNzegaIgungaSingida Project (Sh602 billion) will benefit 1.

2 million people with 54.1 million litres daily. Other schemes include the Bunda Project (Sh29.5 billion), supplying 15 million litres daily to 320,000 residents, and the KintinkuLusilile Project (Sh13 billion), supplying 6.

5 million litres daily to 55,000 people in Singida. Phase I of the Lake VictoriaDodomaSingida Project (Sh326 billion) targets 1.

5 million residents with 200 million litres daily. In Mara, the MgangoKiabakariButiama Project (Sh70.9 billion) covers 13 villages, producing 2 million litres daily.

The Chalinze Phase III Project, funded by India at Sh96 billion, is 96 percent complete. “It serves over 200,000 residents in Chalinze, Handeni and parts of Morogoro, expanding daily output from 500,000 litres to 2 million litres,” reads the statement from the Ministry.

In southern Tanzania, Mtwara projects (Sh87 billion) will supply 40 million litres daily to 600,000 residents, while the RuangwaNachingwea Project in Lindi (Sh119 billion) will serve 200,000 residents with 15 million litres daily, addressing saline water challenges. Urban demand is also being prioritised.

The Kigamboni Phase II Project (Sh65 billion) will serve 250,000 residents with 20 million litres daily through seven deep wells, a 15-million-litre storage tank and a 20-km distribution network. The Butimba Project in Mwanza, valued at Sh71 billion, will supply 48 million litres daily to 450,000 residents by 2025, supported by AFD, the EIB and the EU-Africa Infrastructure Trust Fund.

Other urban schemes include Chamwino (Sh13.5 billion), Nanyumbu (Sh80 billion), Kigoma (S2 billion), Chato (Sh65 billion), Makambako (S2 billion) and Singida (S5 billion), with production ranging from 3 to 15 million litres daily. Some projects incorporate climate-resilient designs.

The Simiyu Resilience Project (Sh500 billion) will serve 495,000 residents plus 2.5 million dependents, producing 30 million litres daily.

In Morogoro, a Sh185 billion project upgrades Mindu Dam and builds a new treatment plant at Mafiga, boosting production to 89 million litres daily. .

Dar es Salaam. The government has launched a three-year breast cancer initiative that brings digital technology into screening, diagnosis, and treatment at the primary healthcare level, aiming to improve early detection, especially in hard-to-reach areas.

The Beat Breast Cancer Project, running from 2025 to 2027, will be implemented in Mwanza, Tanga, Morogoro, and Mtwara, alongside five regions of Zanzibar, involving dispensaries, health centres, and Community Health Workers (CHWs). Director of Health, Social Welfare and Nutrition at the President’s Office, Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG), Dr Rashid Mfaume, told the ongoing Tanzania Health Summit on Friday, October 3, 2025, that the project combines three diagnostic methods: ultrasound imaging, fine-needle aspiration cytology, and core-needle biopsy.

“The project targets early detection. If identified in the first stages, patients can be completely cured,” he said, noting that CHWs have been trained to recognise symptoms, raise awareness, and refer suspected cases to primary facilities.

Statistics show breast cancer is the second most common cancer in Tanzania, accounting for 14.4 percent of new cases, and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women. Together, cervical and breast cancers comprise more than half of all new female cancer cases (Globocan 2022).

Dr Mfaume said CHWs now play a crucial role, noting that they are trained to screen for both communicable and non-communicable diseases. Furthermore, he said, when they suspect cases, they refer women to nearby facilities, which use their own resources to purchase basic diagnostic tools.

“This way, women are referred early, instead of waiting until the disease has advanced,” he said. The ultimate goal, he explained, is to expand awareness, promote early diagnosis, and strengthen treatment and palliative care services.

This aligns with the WHO Global Breast Cancer Initiative, which calls for 60 percent of cases to be detected at stage one or two within 60 days, and at least 80 percent of patients to access full treatment. Jhpiego’s Country Director, Ms Alice Christensen, said the organisation is pleased to partner with the Pfizer Foundation and the Ministry of Health to accelerate the fight against breast cancer in Tanzania.

“We had a one-year pilot in 2024, but Pfizer was very pleased with the outcomes and has extended support for three years. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death among women, yet many seek care late, when it has already spread and is harder to treat,” she said.

Ms Christensen stressed Jhpiego’s efforts to reach women earlier through community-level awareness campaigns, encouraging them to attend screening. “By collaborating with community workers, more women will be reached for detection.

Most present late, when treatment becomes much harder,” she said. The project is funded by the Pfizer Foundation and managed by Jhpiego Project Director Dr Maryrose Giattas Kahwa.

It will cover nine regions, 45 councils, and support 137 facilities on both the Mainland and Zanzibar. “We are complementing government strategies to save lives by strengthening early screening, diagnosis, and treatment for women with breast cancer,” she said.

Dr Kahwa noted that over 31 ultrasound machines and more than 1,000 diagnostic tools have already been distributed, worth Sh590 million. She added that partnerships are supporting patients without health insurance or the means to travel for treatment.

Director for Maternal and Child Health Services at the Ministry of Health, Dr Nassoro Mzee, explained that while 99 percent of cases occur in women, breast cancer also affects men, though rarely. He said, unlike in the past when tissue had to be surgically removed and sent to referral hospitals, these procedures are now available at council facilities where most Tanzanians seek care.

“This digital service allows women to be tested, receive results electronically, and continue treatment locally. Mobile outreach teams can even collect samples on site,” said Dr Mzee.

The Beat Breast Cancer Project will run from January 2025 to December 2027 in partnership with the Ministry of Health and the President’s Office, with funding from the Pfizer Foundation under Jhpiego. .

Dar es Salaam. With the October 29 General Election fast approaching, advocacy groups have raised concerns that while elections are meant to strengthen national unity, they too often put the country’s youngest citizens at grave risk, prompting an urgent call for their protection.

In a joint press statement issued on Friday, October 2, 2025, the groups said children must not be left as silent victims of politics. My Legacy Programme Coordinator, Ms Amina Ally, who read the statement on behalf of the National Safe School Coalition (NSSC), a network of 20 civil society organisations, said children’s safety, dignity, and best interests must remain a non-negotiable priority before, during, and after the polls.

The appeal, signed by groups including HakiElimu, Save the Children, TAMWA, and TEN/MET, underscores a pressing reality. Children in Tanzania, defined under the Law of the Child Act 2009 and the Children’s Act No.

6 of 2011 (Zanzibar) as all persons under 18, are among the most vulnerable during politically charged times. The caution comes with a dark historical backdrop.

Previous election cycles have been marred by violence, and in the mid-2000s, children with albinism were killed in brutal attacks linked to witchcraft beliefs that escalated during campaigns. Although Tanzania has since made progress in combating such atrocities, the memory remains raw.

“We cannot afford to repeat history. Every child lost to superstition or violence is a national failure,” warned Ms Ally.

Human rights data highlights the scale of risk. According to the Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition, at least 76 children with albinism were killed between 2006 and 2015, with dozens more surviving mutilation.

While security measures have curbed the attacks in recent years, election periods remain “red zones” for potential resurgence. During polls, parents and guardians are often preoccupied with campaigns and voting, leaving children unattended.

Large gatherings and rallies can quickly turn volatile, exposing minors to danger. Some children are exploited by being mobilised for political activities, in direct violation of the Child Act.

Others suffer psychological trauma after witnessing unrest. Commenting on the development, veteran gender and child rights advocate Dr Ruth Kuhenga said the risk is real.

“The heightened political tension can create unsafe environments where children are either neglected or deliberately targeted. Communities, media, and political actors must be vigilant,” she said.

A call for action As Tanzania prepares for the October 29 General Election, a coalition of civil society groups has urged all sectors of society to safeguard children. The coalition calls on civil society to integrate child rights into voter education, document violations, and offer psychosocial support.

Media must amplify children’s voices while avoiding harmful reporting that could incite violence. Political parties and candidates should keep children away from campaign activities and adopt manifestos addressing education, health, and protection, said Ms Ally, adding that parents and communities must remain vigilant at polling stations and rallies.

Government authorities, the coalition reminded, are legally bound by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child to protect children. “Elections should embed child safeguarding measures,” said a child rights expert, Mr Edwin Sungura.

UNICEF Tanzania emphasises that the move was vital for the future of the country’s democracy. .