Malaria continues to pose a major public health threat to Tanzania, remaining a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, especially among children under 5 years, authorities disclosed.
While opening the 33rd Annual Joint Scientific Conference organised by the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) on Tuesday in the northern city of Arusha, Health Minister Mohamed Mchengerwa urged research institutions to intensify efforts to find a lasting solution to eliminate the disease.
Mchengerwa underscored the importance of strengthening research and innovation to address health challenges, urging both domestic and international collaborations to produce practical solutions.
The minister also called on researchers to focus on identifying sustainable and comprehensive solutions to eradicate malaria in Tanzania.
James Mdoe, chairperson of the NIMR Board of Directors, said Tanzania is strengthening the role of science, technology and innovation as key drivers of socio-economic development under the country’s Development Vision 2050.
He also highlighted the need to increase domestic investment in research and development, citing a decline in funding from development partners and stressing the importance of building self-reliance in addressing national challenges.
According to a document released at the event, Malaria remains a major public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa, with approximately 1 million deaths and more than 400 million cases a year.
In Tanzania, over 95 percent of the 37.4 million people are at risk for malaria infection. The disease is responsible for more than one-third of deaths among children under the age of 5 years and for up to one-fifth of deaths among pregnant women.
MG/as/APA