Tanzania eliminates neglected tropical diseases in 93 districts

Dar es Salaam. A total of 93 Districts countrywide have managed to eliminate neglected tropical diseases, hydrocele and lymphatic filariasis. 

This was revealed by the Permanent Secretary in the Health Ministry Dr Mpoki Ulisubisya when addressing participants in a two-day health stakeholders meeting, that aims discuss ways to curb the neglected tropical diseases for the year 2018/19 held in the city on Wednesday, June 6. According to the 2012 Tanzania National Census, Tanzania was divided into 169 districts, which means about 55 per cent of districts in the country have this positive achieved. 

“The government has distributed essential drugs to 21 million out of 50 million people infected with these diseases,” he said.

Hydrocele is a type of swelling in the scrotum that occurs when fluid collects in the thin sheath surrounding a testicle; and lymphatic filariasis, is a parasitic disease caused by microscopic, thread-like worms.

For her part at same occasion, National Coordinator for Neglected Tropical Diseases Control Programme Dr Upendo Mwingira called on people to visit public health facilities countrywide to access drugs for prevention.

“I encourage people to visit our public health facilities to access the drugs. This year, the government will distribute the drugs in September,” she said.

Dr Mwingira further expounded that doubling of efforts was necessary to create public awareness on importance of using the drugs.

Meanwhile, Dr Mwingira revealed that the government had managed to distribute essential drugs to 58 out of 71 districts countrywide to curb trachoma.