SCI Update on Funds Funnelled Through the GNNTDC in 2007 for Tanzania

SCI Update on Funds Funnelled Through the GNNTDC in 2007 for Tanzania

The funds are being used for the first ever round of treatment of school aged children for schistosomiasis and soil transmitted helminths in 6 regions in Tanzania; Rukwa, Morogoro, Singida, Manyara, Kilimanjaro and Arusha. Mass treatment for these diseases has previously taken place in 11 regions in Tanzania, but not in these 6 regions. 1.95 million children are being targeted in this campaign which is due to take place on the 29th August, 2008. The campaign will be undertaken by the trained school teachers in every primary school in the regions. All the necessary drugs have been purchased and cleared through the port. They have been distributed to the regions and then the districts.

On the 1st -3rd July 2008 a training session for Regional and District school health coordinators took place in Morogoro Town (see image above). Training on school deworming was given to 82 participants including 67 district school health coordinators, 11 regional school health coordinators and 4 zonal reproductive and child health coordinators. These “trainers of trainers” passed on the messages to the teachers. Within each region, training of teachers and health workers has been taking place during July 2008 at the district level in every district involved in the campaign. Final preparations are being made within regions and districts for the campaign which will officially be launched by the vice-president of Tanzania (alongside a vitamin A and measles vaccination campaign). He will be in Tanga and Dr. Alice Norton from SCI will attend that ceremony.