DODOMA (Tanzania), Sept 21 (NNN-DAILYNEWS) — TANZANIA and the United Kingdom have agreed to collaborate on the National Health Insurance Fund to assist low-income citizens in accessing healthcare services without financial burdens.
This was announced by Health Minister Jenista Mhagama following a meeting between President Samia Suluhu Hassan and the Duchess of Edinburgh, Sophie Helen Rhys-Jones at State House in Dar es Salaam.
Mhagama said that the two leaders agreed to improve the universal health insurance law to ensure that all Tanzanians can receive affordable healthcare.
“President Samia and the Duchess of Edinburgh agreed to exchange experiences, after which we will determine the specific areas where the UK government can assist us,” she said.
Another key area of discussion was the promotion of clean cooking energy.
President Samia highlighted the efforts the Tanzanian government has already taken in this sector.
Mhagama said the UK, through its Ambassador to Tanzania, has committed to working together with Tanzania to advance this initiative.
In addition, she said both countries agreed to collaborate on implementing the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) requirements to eradicate Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) globally by 2030 and Tanzania is targeting a 95 per cent elimination rate by 2027.
Mhagama noted that the visit demonstrated the UK’s strong commitment to continuing cooperation with Tanzania in areas that benefit both nations.
“The UK has also agreed to support us in research on clean cooking energy and NTDs,” she added.
Over the past two decades, Tanzania has received 11.8bn/- from the UK government to support the fight against NTDs, including lymphatic filariasis (Elephantiasis), hydrocele, low vonchocerciasis (River Blindness) and schistosomiasis (Bilharzia).
The Minister said that the funds have been instrumental in training health specialists, conducting surgeries, purchasing medical equipment and providing preventive treatments in areas affected by Trachoma, a disease that can lead to blindness.
The visit marked a significant diplomatic achievement for Tanzania, further strengthening the longstanding historical ties between the two countries.
The Duchess is in Tanzania from 16 – 20 September 2024 to celebrate UK-Tanzania collaboration on health, agriculture and women’s empowerment.
She is passionate about eliminating avoidable blindness and, since 2003, has been a Global Ambassador for the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB).
She was also a Patron of Vision 2020: The Right to Sight and Vice-Patron of The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust.
The Duchess has seen first-hand the difference organisations with the right knowledge, experience and funding can make on a global scale.
On the first day of her visit, the Duchess visited Magomeni Health Centre in Dar es Salaam, a primary health facility offering essential sexual health and family planning services.
She later visited the Anti-Human Trafficking and Child Protection Unit, meeting investigators, prosecutors and social welfare practitioners to hear about efforts to tackle child abuse in Tanzania and the care given to victims.
Meanwhile, Zanzibar President Dr Hussein Mwinyi has assured the UK that Zanzibar is making significant strides and efforts to control and eliminate trachoma in the country.
Dr Mwinyi made the remarks at the State House in Zanzibar during a meeting with Princess Sophie, who visited the Indian Ocean isles.
He said Zanzibar will continue to work hard to tackle diseases, particularly NTDs, which impact the well being of the community.
President Mwinyi also expressed his gratitude for the training and capacity-building support provided by the UK to Zanzibar’s healthcare workers, especially in the fight against NTDs.
He said that the support has been crucial in achieving success in the health sector and urged that such assistance continues.
Dr Mwinyi assured Princess Sophie that Zanzibar remains committed to improving healthcare services, particularly in maternal and child health, and called on donours and development partners to continue supporting Zanzibar’s healthcare initiatives.
In response, Princess Sophie commended Zanzibar for its significant progress in controlling trachoma and for reaching the early goals set by the Commonwealth to eradicate the disease by 2030.
She commended Zanzibar as a model for successfully managing and eradicating the disease, which continues to be a significant threat in many other African countries.
Princess Sophie urged the Zanzibar government to remain vigilant and ensure that the disease does not resurface.
She also expressed her satisfaction with the progress of health projects supported by the UK and reaffirmed President Mwinyi’s commitment to ensuring that all institutions involved in these projects continue to receive the necessary assistance.
Princess Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, is the wife of Prince Edward, the youngest son of the late Queen Elizabeth II and younger brother to the current King of the United Kingdom, Charles III. — NNN-DAILYNEWS
