Tanzania intensifies disaster preparedness against Ebola outbreak in its 11 regions

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Ministry of Health has assured the public that Tanzania is free from Ebola, while continuing with campaigns to provide education on self-protection and identifying symptoms similar to the disease to strengthen awareness and dispel fear among the community.

Speaking during a public education exercise at the Magufuli Bus Terminal in Dar es Salaam, the Assistant Director of Public Health Education from the Ministry of Health, Dr Rahma Hingora, said that so far they have provided education in 11 regions with the aim of reminding citizens how to protect themselves, identify symptoms of the disease and appropriate steps to take when they encounter someone with symptoms similar to Ebola.

She said the ministry has formed teams of health professionals to travel to various areas to provide education to citizens, including bus stops, markets, schools, and other areas with large gatherings of people.

“We want the public to have a correct understanding of this disease and reduce unnecessary panic. Tanzania is safe, Ebola-free, but we emphasize the importance of taking precautions and following the instructions of health professionals,” she said.

Dr Hingora said the ministry, in collaboration with various authorities, has started providing education at the Magufuli Bus Terminal as it is a hub that connects travellers from various parts of the country.

She said the campaign will continue in other areas, including markets, schools, transport hubs, and social gathering areas, to ensure that more citizens are reached with the education.

According to Dr Hingora, the government has placed more emphasis on border regions, including Kagera, Kigoma, and Mwanza, due to their proximity to neighbouring countries that may be at risk of epidemics.

“We have deployed teams of experts to various regions, especially border areas, to ensure that citizens receive correct information about the symptoms of this disease and how to protect themselves,” she said.

She added that Tanzania already has adequate systems and equipment for disease surveillance and monitoring, with the government continuing to strengthen these services at borders, health facilities, and areas with large gatherings of people.

In addition, she said preventive measures such as the use of handwashing stations with running water and hand sanitizers have continued to be emphasized, with citizens being encouraged to focus on hand hygiene and to report early when they see someone with suspicious symptoms.

“This disease is not the first time it has been seen in our region, so surveillance and testing systems are in place. What we are continuing to do is to improve it further and ensure that every citizen receives the right education,” she said.

She stressed that prevention is the best way to protect oneself against disease outbreaks and urged citizens to collaborate with health professionals and community health workers to ensure that Tanzania continues to be safe.

“We remind Tanzanians that our country is still safe and free of Ebola. However, it is important to continue to take precautions because prevention is better than cure. If we cooperate and follow the instructions of health professionals, we will continue to protect the health of citizens and future generations,” she said.

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For his part, the Head of the Community Health Services Program, Dr Norman Jonas said the network of community health workers has continued to be strengthened to ensure that citizens receive accurate information and take appropriate measures to protect themselves.

He said the workers continue to visit houses in various villages, neighborhoods and streets in the country with the aim of providing health education and monitoring any information that may indicate the presence of Ebola or other epidemic diseases.

The post Tanzania intensifies disaster preparedness against Ebola outbreak in its 11 regions first appeared on Daily News.

The post Tanzania intensifies disaster preparedness against Ebola outbreak in its 11 regions appeared first on Daily News.