Experts advise President Samia on tackling Covid-19 in Tanzania

By DOROTHY NDALU , Luke Anami & The Citizen

President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Monday received a Covid-19 report from a committee of experts tasked with evaluating the Covid-19 situation in the country.

The report of the experts was handed over to President Samia by committee chairman, Prof Said Aboud, at State House Dar es Salaam. The report urged the government to scale up public health measures against Covid-19 and take a science-based approach to the response.

The government should revitalise emergency plans at all levels for disaster response, including on the Covid-19 epidemic.
The government should provide information on the presence of Covid-19 and take concrete steps to strengthen all preventive measures at all levels to prevent the third wave of the disease.
Health professionals should fulfil their professional responsibilities, based on professionalism, norms and values in educating, preventing and treating Covid-19 disease in the country.
Tanzania participates effectively in decision-making and implements regional and international resolutions adopted in the EAC, SADC, AU and WHO communities.
The government [should] use its instruments to proceed with steps towards allowing the free use of the vaccine against Covid-19, using the vaccines listed by the World Health Organization, in order to give its citizens the opportunity to protect themselves, because through the analysis of the committee, such vaccines are scientifically effective and safe.
The National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups (NITAG) and the Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices Authority (TMDA) should continue to be involved in advising and controlling such vaccines.
Priority for the provision of vaccines against Covid-19 in the country should start with the following categories of importance: healthcare workers and frontline workers for example workers in the tourism industry, hotels and at borders; religious leaders and pilgrims; the elderly and adults aged 50 and over; adults with comorbidities such as diabetes, high blood pressure, respiratory diseases, and kidney disease; staff of security agencies; and [people] travelling abroad.
To mobilise and prepare for the reception, care, transportation and delivery of vaccines, and [for] the public to be free to decide whether to vaccinate or not. The government will coordinate access to immunisations for staff of international institutions in the country.