Habari

Mwanza: THE Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR), plans to expand research on medicines for treating schistosomiasis in children under five to further assess the drug’s usage and pricing so that once it is officially registered, citizens can afford it.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Seif Shekalaghe, said this during the launching of a schistosomiasis research workshop in Mwanza, noting that studies have shown that children under five can contract schistosomiasis.

Elaborating, the PS noted that previously they were not aware that schistosomiasis could infect children under five, and there were no specific medicines for the age group, but now, the research has helped them identify a drug that can be used to treat them.

Additionally, he said that the drug is expected to enter further research stages after being proven effective and safe.

“Current efforts focus on expanding research to determine a price that will be affordable for citizens,” he said.

He also noted that the drug has already been registered under the Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices Authority (TMDA), although it has not yet been included in the Ministry of Health’s official treatment guidelines.

Moreover, Mr. Shekalaghe said that the government continues taking preventive measures against schistosomiasis by educating communities and distributing preventive treatment drugs to children aged six and above.

“The government has developed a strategy to provide medicine to children under five through this research. Once the study is completed, the drug will be incorporated into treatment guidelines to protect these children from schistosomiasis, ultimately contributing to a healthier nation,” he said.

Furthermore, he urged experts to closely supervise the research to ensure credible and beneficial results for citizens, while also encouraging communities to continue taking preventive measures against the disease.

Shirika la Reli Tanzania (TRC) limeanza usafirishaji wa makasha ya mizigo kwa kutumia reli ya kisasa (SGR), hatua inayolenga kupanua wigo wa biashara, kupunguza msongamano wa mizigo bandarini na kurahisisha usafirishaji wa mizigo kwenda mikoa ya kati ya nchi.

Akizungumza wakati wa kuanza safari ya treni ya kwanza ya makasha kutoka Pugu kuelekea Ihumwa mkoani Dodoma, Kaimu Mkurugenzi wa Usafirishaji wa TRC, Focus Makoye Sahani amesema treni hiyo inasafiri umbali wa takribani kilometa 420 kutoka Dar es Salaam.

Amesema hatua hiyo ni mwanzo wa usafirishaji wa makasha baada ya TRC kuanza kusafirisha abiria pamoja na mizigo mbalimbali ikiwemo kichele kuanzia Julai 2024, pamoja na saruji inayopakiwa Pugu.

“Leo tumeongeza wigo wa biashara kwa kupakia makasha. Kama mnavyoona, treni yetu ya kwanza ya makasha kwenda Ihumwa, Dodoma, leo imeanza safari zake na tuna ofa ya kutosha kutoka kwa mteja wetu wa kwanza,” amesema Sahani.

Ameeleza kuwa treni hiyo ina mabehewa 50 yanayobeba jumla ya makasha 100, huku mteja wa kwanza, GSM, akitoa ofa ya kuanzia kwa huduma hiyo.

Kwa mujibu wa Sahani, TRC imeanza upakiaji wa makasha katika eneo la Pugu, huku ikifanya maboresho ya miundombinu ikiwemo Malindi Yard karibu na eneo la Gerezani ili kuimarisha shughuli za upakiaji wa makasha.

Dar es Salaam. The Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) has officially launched container transportation services on the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), marking a major milestone in expanding its commercial operations, reducing port congestion and improving cargo transport to central regions of the country.

Speaking during the inaugural container train departure from Pugu to Ihumwa in Dodoma Region, TRC acting director of transport services, Mr Focus Sahani, said the train covers approximately 420 kilometers from Dar es Salaam.

He noted that the launch builds on TRC’s earlier rollout of passenger and freight services, including the transportation of rice since July and cement loaded at Pugu.

“Today, we have expanded our business scope by introducing containerized cargo services. As you can see, our first container train to Ihumwa, Dodoma, has officially commenced operations, and we have received strong commitment from our first client,” said Mr Sahani.

The inaugural train comprises 50 wagons carrying a total of 100 containers. The first client, GSM Group, supplied the initial cargo for the new service.
According to Mr Sahani, container loading operations are currently underway at Pugu, while infrastructure upgrades continue at Malindi Yard near the Gerezani area to further enhance container-handling capacity.

He explained that the initiative aligns with the director general’s directive to establish Inland Container Depots (ICDs) in Morogoro and Ihumwa, a move expected to significantly ease congestion at the port.

“We will have an ICD in Morogoro, located 193 kilometers from Dar es Salaam, where customers transporting goods to Mbeya and Iringa will be able to collect their cargo. Additionally, there is the Ihumwa ICD,” he said.

Mr Sahani said that the journey to Morogoro is short and efficient, while cargo destined for Dodoma will be offloaded at the Ihumwa ICD, which is equipped with adequate space and infrastructure to handle container operations effectively.

He urged traders and business operators to utilize railway transport to reduce reliance on trucks operating between Dar es Salaam and Dodoma, emphasizing that the SGR provides a cost-effective, safe and efficient alternative.

This marks the first time TRC has deployed container carrier wagons since launching SGR freight services on June 27, 2026.

TRC received a total of 264 SGR freight wagons in December 2024, including 200 container carrier wagons and 64 designated for loose cargo transportation.

Zaidi ya wasichana 13,000 wenye umri kati ya miaka 13 na 21 waliokatisha masomo ya sekondari kwa sababu mbalimbali wamejisajili na kurudi shuleni kupitia Mradi wa Kuboresha Elimu ya Sekondari kwa Njia Mbadala (SEQUIP-AEP) ulioanza mwaka 2022 na kufikia mwaka 2026.

Watoto hao waliokatisha masomo kutokana na sababu mbalimbali zikiwemo mimba za utotoni, ajira za watoto, kuolewa kabla ya wakati na hali za kiuchumi za familia, sasa wanaendelea na masomo ya kidato cha tano na sita, vyuo vya kati na vyuo vikuu.