DAR ES SALAAM, Sept 20 (NNN-DAILYNEWS) — TANZANIA is set to host the 11th Asia-Africa Luminaries Conference, organised by the Merck Foundation, focusing on health issues and research to enhance understanding of health, education, and social matters among Tanzanians.
The two-day conference will take place on Oct 29-30, officially opened by President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Minister for Community Development, Gender, Women, and Special Groups, Dr Dorothy Gwajima announced the event during a press conference in Dar es Salaam, highlighting Tanzania’s ongoing efforts to invest in maternal and child health.
Dr Gwajima noted that the country’s conducive environment of peace and stability was a key factor in its selection as this year’s host.
The conference will address maternal and child health, cancer, diabetes, hypertension and plans for capacity building in health journalism.
Expected outcomes include new commitments from First Ladies and the Merck Foundation to ensure access to quality health solutions across Africa.
The conference will also address infertility stigma and improve access to reproductive health services for women and girls.
Approximately 6,000 participants, including policymakers, researchers and health journalists from over 70 countries, are anticipated.
Among them will be 600 attendees, including First Ladies from various African nations, with Tanzania represented by the First Lady of Zanzibar, Ms Mariam Mwinyi.
The CEO of the Merck Foundation, Senator Dr Rasha Kelej, emphasised the conference’s role as an advocacy platform for women and girls’ education in STEM fields, and highlighted the foundation’s commitment to transforming healthcare in Africa. — NNN-DAILYNEWS
