The World Health Organisation has requested for a change of policy surrounding Covid-19 in Tanzania as the country swore in Samia Suluhu Hassan as its first female president on Friday.
Ms. Hassan ascends to the presidency following the death on Wednesday of John Pembe Magufuli who was widely regarded as a coronavirus skeptic.
In a tweet moments after Ms. Hassan took the oath in Dar es Salaam, WHO director general Tedros Ghebreyesus said: “I look forward to working with you to keep people safe from Covid-19, end the pandemic and achieve a healthier Tanzania, together”.
Under her predecessor, Tanzania had not provided information about the number of coronavirus cases in the country, refused to procure Covid-19 vaccines under the COVAX scheme, and did not recommend the use of face masks.
The late president who had instead called on citizens to throng mosques and churches for prayers declared Tanzania free from the pandemic.
Reports that Magufuli had died in a Dar es Salaam hospital had not been verified with the official cause of death being from heart complications.
Known for her pragmatism, observers say it would be interesting to see if Ms. Hassan would continue with Magufuli’s controversial Covid-19 policy.
WN/as/APA