BAGAMOYO: Waziri Mkuu, Dkt. Mwigulu Nchemba, ameagiza kukamilishwa haraka kwa uthamini wa maeneo yanayohitajika kwa uwekezaji katika Eneo Maalumu la Kiuchumi la Bagamoyo (EPZA). Lengo ni kuhakikisha wananchi wanapata fidia zao kwa wakati ili kupisha miradi ya maendeleo bila kuwepo kwa migogoro.

Dkt. Mwigulu ametoa maagizo hayo leo Ijumaa, Oktoba 16, 2026, alipotembelea na kukagua maendeleo ya ujenzi wa kongani ya viwanda ya kampuni ya Hongwang Tanzania (HWTZ SEZ Limited) iliyopo wilayani Bagamoyo, mkoani Pwani.

Maagizo Makubwa ya Waziri Mkuu:

• Uthamini na Fidia: Amezitaka mamlaka husika (Ofisi ya Rais-Mipango na Uwekezaji, TISEZA, Wizara ya Ardhi, na viongozi wa mkoa/wilaya) kushirikiana kukamilisha uthamini. Serikali tayari imetenga chanzo mahususi cha fedha kwa ajili ya fidia hizo.
• Hati za Kisheria: Maeneo yatakayolipiwa fidia lazima yapewe hati na kuwekewa mipaka rasmi ili kuzuia uvamizi.
• Kazi Iendelee Licha ya Mvua: Ameagiza kazi ya uthamini iliyosimama kwa tahadhari ya mvua za El Niño iendelee huku hatua za usalama zikizingatiwa.
• Fursa kwa Vijana: Ametaka maandalizi ya eneo la ekari 50 lililotengwa kwa ajili ya mabanda ya viwanda na kituo cha mauzo ya nje kwa ajili ya vijana yaharakishwe ili kukuza ajira.

Uwekezaji wa Hongwang Tanzania (HWTZ):
Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa kampuni hiyo, Sophia Su, amebainisha kuwa kampuni imepanga kuwekeza jumla ya dola za Marekani milioni 150 katika awamu ya kwanza, ambapo hadi sasa (Oktoba 2026) kiasi cha dola milioni 30 kimeshatumika. Kiwanda cha kuunganisha malori kinatarajiwa kuanza uzalishaji kabla ya mwisho wa mwaka huu, kikitengeneza takribani ajira 400 kwa Watanzania.

Ziara hii inaonesha utekelezaji wa vitendo wa maono ya Rais Dkt. Samia Suluhu Hassan katika kujenga uchumi wa uzalishaji kuelekea Dira ya Taifa 2050.

 

ARUSHA, Tanzania – The East African Community (EAC) Ministers responsible for Tourism and Wildlife Management have adopted the EAC Tourism Marketing Strategy (2027–2036). Meeting for the 13th Sectoral Council on Tourism and Wildlife Management (SCTWM) at the EAC Headquarters, the ministers established a ten-year framework to jointly market East Africa as a unified, competitive destination under the regional brand “Visit East Africa: Feel the Vibe.”

The strategy focuses heavily on maximizing the impact of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027. The region aims to use the football tournament to showcase its natural and cultural heritage, boost visitor numbers, and extend tourism benefits beyond the three host nations to the entire EAC bloc.

Chaired by Tom Butime, Uganda's Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, the Council outlined five immediate priorities for the region:

• Strengthening transboundary conservation in shared ecosystems, including Kidepo, Mount Elgon, Kagera, and Virunga.

• Harmonizing tourism grading and classification standards across member states.

• Improving tourism data collection through the EAC Tourism Barometer.

• Advancing the Single Tourist Visa framework to facilitate seamless cross-border travel.

• Enhancing joint marketing efforts and regional branding campaigns.

Andrea Aguer Ariik Malueth, the EAC Deputy Secretary General for Infrastructure, Productive, Social, and Political Sectors, emphasized that current tourism and wildlife benefits represent only the tip of the iceberg. He urged partner states to expedite national consultations on the Single Tourist Visa and finalize hospitality classifications ahead of AFCON 2027, noting that the region will be judged globally on the quality of its accommodation, meals, and services.

To standardize regional hospitality, the Sectoral Council approved common EAC classification plaque and certificate designs, directing that all classified establishments be published in the EAC Gazette. The Secretariat was also tasked with circulating an updated study on the EAC Single Tourist Visa by October 20, 2026, with partner states requested to submit their feedback by November 30, 2026.

The council welcomed an offer from Uganda to host the 4th EAC Regional Tourism Expo alongside the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE) in May 2027. This joint event will serve as a key promotional platform for AFCON 2027, featuring multi-country tourism packages targeted at international arrivals.

On conservation, the ministers directed the Secretariat to coordinate a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Kenya, South Sudan, and Uganda to manage the Kidepo–Karamoja–Turkana Transboundary Conservation Area.

The meeting concluded with a reaffirmed commitment to building a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable tourism sector, while extending appreciation to development partners—including GIZ, the European Union, TradeMark Africa, IUCN, and RCMRD—for their ongoing support.

 

SIHA, KILIMANJARO – Makamu Mwenyekiti wa Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA) Tanzania Bara, ameitaka serikali kuweka mbele maslahi ya wananchi kwa kuwapa kipaumbele katika upatikanaji wa ardhi ya kilimo na ufugaji, badala ya kuwaachia wawekezaji wakubwa pekee.

Wito huo umetolewa katika mkutano wa hadhara uliofanyika Kata ya Ngare Nairobi, wilayani Siha, baada ya kiongozi huyo kukamilisha ziara ya uzinduzi wa vizimba vya chama hicho katika maeneo mbalimbali ya jimbo hilo.

Akihutubia wananchi, Makamu Mwenyekiti huyo alieleza kuwa ardhi ni rasilimali muhimu kwa maendeleo ya wenyeji, hivyo kuna haja ya kuwepo kwa mikakati inayohakikisha wananchi wa Siha hawakosi maeneo ya kulima na kuchungia mifugo yao.

"Ni muhimu wananchi wapewe kipaumbele cha kwanza katika maeneo yao ili kuendesha maisha yao, badala ya ardhi kutolewa kwa wawekezaji huku wenyeji wakibaki kutangatanga bila uhakika wa maeneo ya uzalishaji," alisema kiongozi huyo.

Aidha, alihimiza mamlaka husika kuangalia upya changamoto za ardhi katika wilaya hiyo ili kuwaondolea wananchi uwezekano wa kukosa mwelekeo na vyanzo vya uhakika vya riziki zao.

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Happy Lazaro, Arusha.

Mkurugenzi wa shule za Nakido, Haruna Kakiva, amesema shule hiyo imeendelea kuwa sehemu muhimu ya mabadiliko ya kielimu kwa wanafunzi waliokuwa na matokeo duni, kwa kuwasaidia kuboresha ufaulu wao na kuendelea na safari ya elimu hadi vyuo vikuu.

Ameyasema hayo jijini Arusha  katika mahafali ya 11 ya shule ya sekondari Nakido, ambapo jumla ya wanafunzi 92 wamehitimu. 

Kakiva amesema shule hiyo imewahi kupokea wanafunzi waliopata alama za D na kukosa nafasi katika baadhi ya shule za serikali, lakini kupitia juhudi za walimu na usimamizi mzuri, wameweza kuhitimu kidato cha nne wakiwa wamefaulu.

Amesema siri ya mafanikio hayo ni kuweka mkazo katika ufundishaji bora sambamba na kujenga nidhamu kwa wanafunzi, walimu na viongozi wa shule, akieleza kuwa elimu bila nidhamu haiwezi kuleta matokeo yanayotarajiwa. 

Kakiva ameongeza kuwa shule  hiyo imeweka utaratibu wa kuwajibishana pale mtu anapokiuka kanuni na taratibu zilizowekwa.

"Shule inawaandaa wanafunzi kukabiliana na mabadiliko ya teknolojia, ikiwemo matumizi ya akili unde (AI), ambayo yanaendelea kubadilisha namna watu wanavyofanya kazi."amesema Kakiva .

Amesisitiza kuwa vijana wanapaswa kujifunza kuitumia teknolojia hiyo kwa tija ili iwe nyenzo ya kuwaongezea uwezo badala ya kuwafanya washindwe kukabiliana na ushindani wa maisha..

Amesema wahitimu wa shule hiyo  wameendelea kujiunga na shule mbalimbali nchini na wengi wamefanya vizuri katika masomo yao, huku baadhi wakifanikiwa kufika vyuo vikuu. 

Kakiva ameongeza kuwa mrejesho unaotolewa na wazazi na wahitimu wanaorejea shuleni kueleza maendeleo yao ni motisha kwa uongozi kuendelea kuboresha mazingira ya kujifunzia na kufundishia.

Aidha Kakiva amewataka wazazi kujenga ukaribu na watoto wao kwa kuwa marafiki wanaoweza kuwaeleza changamoto, furaha na mambo yanayowatatiza. 

"Dunia ya sasa ina mabadiliko ya haraka, hivyo wazazi wanapaswa kufahamu kile watoto wao wanachokutana nacho ili kuwaongoza kutambua fursa na kuepuka mambo yanayoweza kuhatarisha maisha na maendeleo yao."amesema Kakiva.

Aidha, amewashauri wahitimu kuendelea kudumisha nidhamu waliyojifunza shuleni, kuwaheshimu na kuwapenda wazazi wao pamoja na kuwa na bidii katika masomo wanapojiandaa kuingia katika hatua nyingine za elimu. 

"Uongozi wa shule utaendelea kusimamia misingi ya elimu, nidhamu na uwajibikaji kwa lengo la kuwajenga vijana wenye uwezo wa kukabiliana na changamoto za sasa na zijazo na kuchangia maendeleo ya jamii na taifa kwa ujumla."amesema Kakiva.

Kwa upande wa mgenirasmi katika mahafali hayo ,Meneja wa Latra mkoa wa Arusha ,Omar Ayoub amesema baada ya kuhitimu Kidato cha Nne, wanafunzi wanapaswa kufanya uchaguzi sahihi wa masomo au vyuo kulingana na taaluma wanazotaka kusomea, akitoa mfano kuwa mwenye ndoto za kuwa mhandisi anapaswa kuchagua chuo kinachotoa mafunzo ya uhandisi, huku anayetaka kuwa mhasibu akichagua taasisi inayotoa mafunzo ya uhasibu.

Aidha amewataka wahitimu hao kujiendeleza zaidi kwani kidato cha nne ni mwanzo tu wa elimu hivyo wanatakiwa kuongeza bidii zaidi katika kujituma kwa kwenda viwango vingine ili waweze kufikia ndoto zao .

Kwa upande wake Mjumbe wa Bodi ya Shule Mhandisi David Mtunguja, amewataka wahitimu wa Kidato cha Nne kuchagua njia za kuendeleza elimu yao kwa kuzingatia ndoto na malengo waliyojiwekea badala ya kufuata mkumbo.

 Amesema elimu ni mchakato unaomsaidia mtu kufikia ndoto zake, huku elimu ya sekondari ikiwa ni hatua muhimu ya mwanafunzi kujitambua, kutambua uwezo wake na kuamua anataka kuwa nani katika maisha yake ya baadaye.

 

Kamati ya kudumu ya Bunge ya Ardhi, Maliasili na Utali imeipongeza Mamlaka ya Hifadhi ya Ngorongoro kwa kuimarisha uhusiano na wananchi wanaoishi ndani ya hifadhi na kuitaka kuendelea kushirikiana na jamii ya wananchi hao.

Akizungumza kwa niaba ya wabunge wa kamati hiyo Mwenyekiti wa kamati mhe. Timotheo Mnzava amesema  Kamati inaridhishwa  na hatua hizo ambazo zinaonesha mustakabali mwema  wa uhusiano wa wananchi na mamlaka hasa utekelezaji wa huduma za kijamii.

Kamati hiyo imeenda mbali kwa kuridhishwa na  mageuzi mbalimbali ya kimfumo hasa  matumizi ya teknolojia, miundombinu ya barabara na jitihada kubwa za kutangaza utalii katika ngazi za kitaifa na kimataifa kidijitali.

Akielezea utendaji kazi wa mamlaka hiyo Kamishna wa Uhifadhi Abdul-Razaq Badru amesema Ngorongoro inafanya jitihada kubwa kusimamia ujenzi wa barabara  ya  kutoka geti la Loduare-Golini ambapo ujenzi wa kipande cha kwanza cha km 29.5 cha Loduare -Seneto unaendelea..

Ameongeza mamlaka imepiga hatua kubwa katika matumizi ya mfumo wa kisasa wa vipenyo ambao unawawezesha wageni kutumia muda mfupi kuingia na kutoka ndani ya hifadhi.

Waziri wa Maliasili na Utalii  Dkt.Ashatu Kijaji aliishukuru kamati hiyo kutokana na ushauri,maelekezo na usimamizi wake kwa wizara hiyo na taasisi zake.

Makamu wa Rais wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania,  Deogratius Ndejembi, ameiagiza Wizara ya Kilimo kufanya uchunguzi wa haraka kubaini chanzo cha kushuka kwa bei ya mahindi na kupata suluhisho la kudumu ili kuwanusuru wakulima nchini.

 Ndejembi ametoa agizo hilo wakati akizungumza na wananchi wa Vwawa na Mlowo wilayani Mbozi, mkoani Songwe, alipokuwa kwenye ziara ya kikazi ya kusikiliza kero na kukagua miradi ya maendeleo. Hatua hii inakuja kufuatia malalamiko ya muda mrefu ya wakulima wa ukanda huo wanaokabiliwa na changamoto ya soko na bei ndogo ya mazao yao.

Kuharakishwa kwa Miradi ya Maendeleo

Mbali na kilimo, Makamu wa Rais amewataka viongozi na watendaji wote wa Serikali kuongeza kasi ya utekelezaji wa miradi ya kimkakati, hasa katika sekta za umeme, maji, na barabara ili kuhakikisha wananchi wanapata huduma bora kwa wakati.

Ulinzi na Amani

Katika ziara hiyo, Waziri wa Mambo ya Ndani ya Nchi, Patrobas Katambi, amewasihi wananchi kuendelea kudumisha amani na utulivu, akisisitiza kuwa Serikali haitasita kuchukua hatua kali za kisheria dhidi ya mtu yeyote atakayejaribu kuvunja amani ya nchi.

Suala hili linazua matumaini makubwa kwa wakulima wa Songwe na maeneo jirani wanaotegemea zao la mahindi kama nguzo yao kuu ya kiuchumi.

 

WAZIRI MKUU, Dkt. Mwigulu Nchemba, amezitaka SACCOS barani Afrika kuimarisha ukusanyaji wa akiba na kuzielekeza katika uwekezaji wenye tija ili kukuza biashara, kuongeza uzalishaji na kutengeneza ajira.

Amesema hayo leo, (Alhamisi Oktoba 15, 2026,) katika kongamano la 26 la Vyama vya Ushirika wa Kifedha SACCOS barani Afrika, linaloendelea katika Kituo cha Mikutano cha Kimataifa cha Julius Nyerere (JNICC), jijini Dar es Salaam.

Akizungumza kwa Niaba ya Rais Dkt. Samia Suluhu Hassan, Waziri Mkuu amesema Afrika inapaswa kujenga uwezo wa kubadilisha akiba za wananchi kuwa uwekezaji, uwekezaji kuwa biashara, na biashara kuwa ajira na ustawi wa jamii. 

Amesisitiza kuwa Vyama vya Ushirika vya Akiba na Mikopo (SACCOS) vina wajibu unaovuka utoaji wa huduma za kifedha na kugusa maendeleo ya wananchi.

“Tusisubiri mustakabali wa maendeleo ujijenge wenyewe; ni lazima tuujenge mustakabali wetu. SACCOS zetu zinapaswa kuwa mstari wa mbele katika kubadilisha maisha ya wananchi, kuwawezesha vijana na kugeuza akiba kuwa uwekezaji wenye tija,” amesema.

Waziri Mkuu amehimiza matumizi ya mifumo ya kidijitali ili kurahisisha huduma, kuongeza uwazi na kuwafikia wananchi wengi zaidi. Pia, amezitaka SACCOS kuwapa vijana fursa za kupata mikopo, ujuzi na kushiriki katika uongozi, akisema ushiriki wao ni muhimu katika kujenga uchumi wa baadaye.

Kuhusu usimamizi, amesisitiza uaminifu, uwajibikaji na weledi kwa viongozi na watendaji, pamoja na wanachama kurejesha mikopo kwa wakati. Amesema nidhamu ya kifedha na uwazi ni muhimu katika kulinda akiba za wanachama na kuhakikisha vyama hivyo vinakuwa imara na endelevu.

Ametaja mafanikio ya SACCOS katika kuwawezesha wakulima kugharamia uzalishaji, familia kusomesha watoto, wafanyakazi kujenga nyumba na wanawake na vijana kuanzisha biashara, kuwa ushahidi wa mchango wake katika ustawi wa jamii.

Akiongelea kaulimbiu ya mkutano huo, Waziri Mkuu amesema: "Kila kiongozi aliyepo hapa anao wajibu wa kufanya. Kwenye kila akaunti ya SACCOS kuna historia muhimu ya maisha ya mwanachama. Kwenye kila mkopo, kuna matarajio, Kwenye kila ushirika kuna jamii ambayo inatuamini tuwajengee maisha bora. Na kwa karne nyingi, vyama vya ushirika vimethibitisha kanuni kuu ya Kiafrika kwamba watu wakiunganisha nguvu zao pamoja, chochote ambacho kilionekana kigumu huwa kinawezekana."

Awali, Waziri wa Kilimo, Daniel Chongolo, amesema Tanzania ina jumla ya mawakala 231 wa huduma za fedha kupitia simu za mkononi wanaohusishwa na SACCOS, huku akisisitiza kuwa ubunifu unapaswa kwenda sambamba na maboresho ya teknolojia, usalama wa taarifa na ulinzi wa wateja.

Ameongeza kuwa, Tanzania ina SACCOS 981 zenye wanachama zaidi ya milioni 1.9 na mzunguko wa fedha unaozidi Sh. trilioni 1.6. Amehimiza ubunifu unaoendana na maboresho ya teknolojia, usalama wa taarifa na ulinzi wa wateja.

ARUSHA, TANZANIA — Members of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) have called for swift action to secure assent to the East African Community Persons with Disabilities Bill, passed by the Assembly in 2016 but still not law.

The lawmakers urged the EAC Council of Ministers and partner states to finalise and implement the Bill to strengthen protections for persons with disabilities, improve accessibility and ensure equal access to employment, education, healthcare and other essential services.

The call came during a debate on a motion introduced by Rwanda’s EALA member Alex Bahati. The motion urged the Council of Ministers and partner states to adopt and implement measures that promote the rights of persons with disabilities, including accessible environments and services that meet their needs. Lawmakers said continued delay in enacting the 2016 Bill left persons with disabilities facing barriers in public buildings, schools, hospitals, workplaces and other areas of daily life.

The motion was presented under Articles 49(2)(d) and 120(c) of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community, as well as Rule 26 of the Assembly’s Rules of Procedure.

Bahati noted that although partner states are parties to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, significant barriers continue to prevent persons with disabilities from participating fully in social, economic and professional activities.

The motion recalled that Article 27 of the Convention recognises the right of persons with disabilities to work on an equal basis with others. It also cited Article 120(c) of the EAC Treaty, which calls on partner states to develop and adopt a common strategy to address the needs of vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities.

It further noted that in 2008, the Council of Ministers directed the EAC Secretariat to develop a comprehensive policy on persons with disabilities. In 2012, the Secretariat prepared a regional policy for submission to the Council.

However, the East African Community Persons with Disabilities Bill, which was passed by the Assembly in 2016, has yet to become law because it has not secured the required assent.

Lawmakers who took part in the debate said the delay demonstrated the need to make disability rights a priority within the Community and ensure that existing policies were translated into practical action.

Contributing to the debate, Rwanda’s EALA member Fatuma Ndangiza said that although partner states had signed protocols relating to the rights of persons with disabilities, implementation continued to face challenges, particularly in providing disability-friendly infrastructure.

She said some schools, hospitals and public buildings lacked facilities that met the needs of persons with disabilities, limiting their access to services and participation in development activities.

Ndangiza urged EAC ministers to expedite the process of finalising the Bill passed in 2016 so that it could receive the required assent and become a law protecting the rights and interests of persons with disabilities across partner states.

Uganda’s EALA member Mary Mugwenyi said persons with disabilities needed protection through policies and laws that addressed their needs in daily life, employment, education and mental healthcare.

Mugwenyi noted that even the EAC headquarters faced infrastructure challenges that made it difficult for some persons with disabilities to access and use its facilities.

She cited the lack of suitable ramps and accessibility challenges for wheelchair users and people who use walking aids. She stressed that EAC institutions should lead by example in ensuring that persons with disabilities received services on an equal basis.

“It is a human right for all citizens of our region to be protected equally, just like other citizens within the Community,” Mugwenyi said.

She said the Council of Ministers should ensure that EAC policies included measures to protect the rights of persons with disabilities in employment, access to education, daily life and mental health services.

Tanzania’s EALA member Ansari Aboubakar Kachwamba said persons with disabilities were a recognised group under international conventions and protocols and should enjoy their rights without being treated as though they were seeking special favours.

Kachwamba said the rights of persons with disabilities were fundamental rights that must be respected. He added that the delay in finalising the Bill needed to be addressed so that EAC policies and infrastructure could take the needs of persons with disabilities into account.

He cited the example of lawmakers with disabilities who travel to perform their duties, noting that some require assistants who must also be provided with transport and other necessary services to enable them to offer support.

According to Kachwamba, measures addressing the needs of persons with disabilities should be incorporated into the Community’s plans and systems to ensure equal opportunities for them to perform their responsibilities.

In the resolution, the EALA called on the Council of Ministers to finalise and implement a policy on reasonable accommodation and appropriate services for persons with disabilities working within the East African Community.

The Assembly also urged the Council to direct the Secretariat to ensure that the buildings and services of all EAC institutions were accessible, disability-inclusive and user-friendly.

The lawmakers said protecting the rights of persons with disabilities required more than conventions and policies. It also required effective implementation of the law and investment in inclusive infrastructure to ensure that persons with disabilities participated fully in the development of the East African Community.

"Makame ataka fedha endelevu kuimarisha mafunzo ya wataalamu, utafiti wa kitabibu na huduma za afya Afrika Mashariki"

Arusha, Tanzania

Bunge la Afrika Mashariki (EALA) limezitaka nchi wanachama wa Jumuiya ya Afrika Mashariki (EAC) kuongeza ufadhili wa vituo vya ubora vya afya vya kikanda ili kuhakikisha vinaendelea kutoa huduma endelevu za matibabu ya kibingwa, mafunzo kwa wataalamu na kufanya tafiti za kitabibu kwa manufaa ya wananchi wa Afrika Mashariki.

Mwenyekiti wa Kamati ya Kudumu ya Masuala ya Jumla ya EALA, Dkt. Abdulla Makame, amesema utegemezi mkubwa wa vituo hivyo kwa fedha kutoka kwa wafadhili wa nje unaweza kuhatarisha uendelevu wa shughuli zake. Hivyo, amezitaka nchi wanachama kutenga fedha maalumu katika bajeti zao za taifa kwa ajili ya kuviendesha na kuviendeleza.

Akiwasilisha taarifa ya kamati kuhusu ziara ya ukaguzi iliyofanyika kuanzia Septemba 21 hadi 25, 2026, Dkt. Makame alisema vituo hivyo ni sehemu muhimu ya uwekezaji katika ushirikiano wa kikanda katika sekta ya afya. Alisema vina uwezo wa kuongeza upatikanaji wa huduma za kibingwa na kuimarisha utaalamu ndani ya nchi wanachama.

Vituo vilivyofanyiwa tathmini ni Kituo cha Kikanda cha Ubora wa Chanjo, Utoaji wa Chanjo na Usimamizi wa Mnyororo wa Ugavi wa Afya, kilichopo katika Chuo Kikuu cha Rwanda jijini Kigali, pamoja na Kituo cha Ubora cha Jumuiya ya Afrika Mashariki cha Sayansi za Moyo na Mishipa ya Damu, kilichopo katika Chuo Kikuu cha Afya na Sayansi Shirikishi Muhimbili (MUHAS), jijini Dar es Salaam.

Alieleza kuwa vituo hivyo vilianzishwa kwa lengo la kuimarisha elimu ya uzamili, mafunzo ya kitaalamu, utafiti, ubunifu na utoaji wa huduma za afya za kibingwa, huku vikiwezesha nchi wanachama kubadilishana ujuzi na rasilimali.

Kituo cha Rwanda chatoa mafunzo kwa maelfu ya wataalamu

Kwa mujibu wa taarifa hiyo, kituo kilichopo Kigali kimepokea wanafunzi 489 wa shahada ya uzamili, ambapo 174 wamehitimu. Pia, kimewasaidia watahiniwa 10 wa shahada za uzamivu.

Aidha, kituo hicho kimetoa mafunzo kwa zaidi ya wataalamu 3,300 wa afya kupitia kozi fupi, hatua inayochangia kuongeza ujuzi na uwezo wa wataalamu katika eneo la Afrika Mashariki.

Katika sekta ya utafiti, kituo kimetoa ruzuku 28 za utafiti zenye thamani ya euro 20,000 kila moja, pamoja na ruzuku 20 kwa ajili ya tafiti za wanafunzi zenye thamani ya euro 2,000 kila moja.

Taarifa hiyo inaeleza kuwa shughuli za kituo zimechangia kuchapishwa kwa tafiti 284 zilizopitiwa na wataalamu kabla ya kuchapishwa katika majarida ya kitaaluma, ambapo asilimia 55 ziliongozwa na wanafunzi.

Kamati pia imebainisha hatua zilizopigwa katika utekelezaji wa mfumo wa pamoja wa ununuzi wa dawa na bidhaa za afya wa EAC, unaolenga kuboresha upatikanaji wa bidhaa hizo kupitia uratibu wa manunuzi katika ngazi ya kikanda.

Matumizi ya ndege zisizo na rubani nchini Rwanda katika kusambaza dawa na chanjo, hususan katika maeneo ya mbali na yenye changamoto za usafirishaji, yametajwa kuwa mfano wa matumizi ya teknolojia katika kuboresha mnyororo wa ugavi wa bidhaa za afya.

Hata hivyo, kamati imeeleza kuwa utegemezi wa fedha za wafadhili wa nje bado ni changamoto kubwa, huku kukiwa hakuna mgao maalumu wa fedha kutoka Sekretarieti ya EAC na katika bajeti za nchi wanachama kwa ajili ya kuendeleza shughuli za kituo hicho.

Kamati imetaka pia miradi ya miundombinu ambayo haijakamilika iharakishwe, sambamba na kuimarishwa kwa msaada wa kitaasisi kutoka kwa nchi wanachama ili kuwezesha kituo kutekeleza majukumu yake ya kikanda.

JKCI yaimarisha huduma za matibabu ya moyo

Nchini Tanzania, kamati imetambua mchango wa Kituo cha Sayansi za Moyo na Mishipa ya Damu kilichopo MUHAS, pamoja na huduma za kibingwa zinazotolewa na Taasisi ya Moyo ya Jakaya Kikwete (JKCI).

Kwa mujibu wa taarifa hiyo, zaidi ya upasuaji mkubwa wa moyo 800 umefanyika nchini, huku zaidi ya taratibu 2,000 za matibabu ya moyo zisizohitaji upasuaji mkubwa zikitekelezwa kwa kutumia teknolojia maalumu za kitabibu, zikiwemo huduma za uchunguzi na matibabu ya moyo kupitia mishipa ya damu.

Dkt. Makame alisema wajumbe wa kamati walivutiwa na vifaa na teknolojia za kisasa walizoziona wakati wa ziara hiyo. Alieleza kuwa uwekezaji huo unaweza kuimarisha uwezo wa eneo la Afrika Mashariki kutoa huduma za matibabu ya kibingwa bila wagonjwa kulazimika kutafuta huduma hizo nje ya eneo hilo.

Alisisitiza umuhimu wa nchi wanachama kutumia zaidi vituo hivyo katika kutoa mafunzo kwa wataalamu wa magonjwa ya moyo, kuimarisha tafiti za pamoja na kuwezesha wananchi kutoka nchi mbalimbali za EAC kupata huduma za kibingwa.

Kamati pia imependekeza kuimarishwa kwa mifumo ya rufaa za wagonjwa, kubadilishana wataalamu na kuendeleza ushirikiano katika tafiti ili kuhakikisha manufaa ya vituo hivyo yanafika kwa nchi zote wanachama.

EALA yataka bajeti maalumu na ufuatiliaji madhubuti

Katika mapendekezo yake, kamati imeitaka Baraza la Mawaziri la EAC kuhakikisha kunakuwa na mfumo wa uhakika na endelevu wa ufadhili wa vituo hivyo ili viendelee kuwa nguzo za mafunzo ya kitaalamu, utafiti na huduma za afya za kibingwa katika ukanda huu.

Pia, imependekeza kuimarishwa kwa ushirikiano na vyuo vikuu, taasisi za utafiti wa kitabibu na washirika wa maendeleo, huku shughuli za vituo hivyo zikiendana na vipaumbele vya EAC na mipango ya muda mrefu ya maendeleo ya sekta ya afya.

Kamati imesisitiza umuhimu wa kuwa na mifumo madhubuti ya ufuatiliaji na tathmini itakayowezesha kufuatilia matumizi ya fedha, matokeo ya mafunzo, ubora wa tafiti, utendaji wa vifaa na utekelezaji wa mapendekezo yaliyotolewa.

Ili kuhakikisha usawa katika upatikanaji wa fursa, kamati imependekeza kuwepo kwa utaratibu utakaowawezesha wanafunzi na wataalamu wa afya kutoka nchi zote wanachama kunufaika na mafunzo yanayotolewa na vituo hivyo, ikiwemo kusaidiwa kifedha pale inapohitajika.

Aidha, imependekeza Kamati ya Kudumu ya Masuala ya Jumla kuendelea kufanya ziara za ufuatiliaji ili kutathmini utekelezaji wa mapendekezo na maendeleo ya vituo hivyo katika kutimiza majukumu yao ya kikanda.

Uwekezaji endelevu nguzo ya ushirikiano wa afya

Katika hitimisho la taarifa hiyo, Dkt. Makame amezipongeza serikali za Rwanda na Tanzania, wizara husika, vyuo vikuu, taasisi za afya na washirika wa maendeleo kwa ushirikiano wao wakati wa ziara ya ukaguzi.

Alisema vituo hivyo vinaonesha umuhimu wa kuwekeza katika afya, sayansi na teknolojia kwa lengo la kuboresha ustawi wa wananchi wa Afrika Mashariki.

Hata hivyo, alisisitiza kuwa mafanikio ya muda mrefu ya vituo hivyo yanahitaji zaidi ya misaada ya nje; yanahitaji pia dhamira thabiti ya kisiasa, ufadhili wa uhakika na ushirikiano endelevu miongoni mwa nchi wanachama.

Kamati imehitimisha kuwa vituo hivyo ni uwekezaji muhimu katika ajenda ya EAC ya kuimarisha ushirikiano wa kikanda katika sekta ya afya. Vina uwezo wa kuongeza huduma za matibabu ya kibingwa, kuimarisha tafiti na kuongeza idadi ya wataalamu wenye ujuzi katika eneo lote la Afrika Mashariki.