US institute pledges support in combating epidemic diseases

CDC director Robert Ray Redfield. Photo | Courtesy 

What you need to know:

Health minister Ummy Mwalimu asserted that the CDC was at the forefront of disseminating crucial information on prevention and treatment methods for epidemic diseases whenever they occurred. 


Dar es Salaam. US-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has pledged to continue cooperating with the Tanzanian government in enhancing the country’s capacity to monitor, prevent and combat epidemic diseases. 

CDC director Robert Ray Redfield said this on Thursday, July 26, 2018 during a meeting with Tanzania’s Health minister Ummy Mwalimu, which was held in the ministry's offices in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Among others, Mr Ray Redfield further said for many years his office had collaborated with Tanzania in combating epidemic diseases. 

He also heaped praise on the Tanzanian government over its efforts to prevent and combat the diseases. 

“It is important to involve the community in rural areas in particular when monitoring and disseminating reports on epidemic diseases in efforts to educate communities about the diseases,” he said.

For her part, Ms Mwalimu thanked the US government for its commitment to help Tanzania prevent and combat epidemic disease outbreaks.

She further asserted that the CDC was at the forefront of disseminating crucial information on prevention and treatment methods for epidemic diseases whenever they occurred. 

“Tanzania is very confident it can prevent epidemic disease outbreaks such as Ebola from entering the country. We are determined to enhance public awareness campaigns on epidemic diseases in rural areas in particular,” she said.

For her part, the US envoy to Tanzania, Ms Inmi Petterson, stated that: “I am delighted to be attending today’s meeting with the Health minister. My office will continue to cooperate with Tanzania in combating the diseases,”