Monday, 14 October 2013
Wednesday, 4 September 2013
Perform well, directors urged
Below are some of the participants
Photo by: A Correspondent
DIRECTORS in Tanzania have been urged to perform their functions well so that their companies could achieve maximum benefit for the welfare of the country.
The call to that end was made by Juma Meli, the deputy governor of Bank of Tanzania at an annual meeting held in Dar es Salaam recently.
He said failure to do so will lead to immediate expulsion and legal action to be taken against them.
"If you fail to meet the set standards would lead to immediate expulsion and also legal action to be taken against all failures," he stressed.
The one day meeting brought all directors of various companies across the country.
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Dr. Mwakyembe urges experts to improve effifiency in rail transport
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MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT OF THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA DURING
4TH EAST AND CENTRAL AFRICA ROADS AND RAIL
INFRASTRUCTURE SUMMIT 20-21 AUGUST, 2013
HELD AT SERENA HOTEL – DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA
Chairman of the Summit,
Distinguished Delegates from various countries in East and Central
Africa
Representatives of Ministries in the East African Community Partner
States
Bank Representatives
Countries' Development Partners
Representatives of Various Institutions in the Transport Sector
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
On behalf of the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania and indeed on my
own behalf, I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to Magenta Global
Company in collaboration with other institutions for organizing this profound 4th
East and Central Africa Roads and Rail Infrastructure Summit. I am grateful for the
invitation extended to me to present a Keynote address and preside over the official
opening of this very important summit.
The Government of Tanzania, and in particular the Ministry of Transport, feels
greatly honoured to host this summit and thus reminding us of the importance
bestowed on us fostering the demands of the region’s immediate and future growth. I
have been informed that this meeting is being held in Tanzania continuous for the
third time. Hosting this event is a great honor to the country and, at the same time,
provides an opportunity for establishing strong linkages in order to improve the
connectivity of the landlocked countries to the World and African economies; and for
those from outside, to experience renowned Tanzanian hospitality and beauty. I
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understand that you have already been welcomed at least at individual level, but let
me take this opportunity to welcome you all to Tanzania and to Dar es Salaam in
particular. I hope you will have a pleasant and enjoyable stay. Please feel at home
and I encourage you after the meeting to visit parts of the country and experience
what Tanzania has to offer in terms of tourist attractions.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is my hope that this summit will provide a forum through which professionals in
the transport sector of East and Central Africa as well as representatives of the
private sector will discuss various issues relating to the industry, share their
experiences, their thoughts and ideas about rail and road transport services and
come up with innovative ideas and action plans that will guarantee this region a
transport system fit for the 21st century.
The agenda of this meeting is in agreement with the Government's long settled view
that good railway and road transport links have a clear and very distinctive role to
play in economic development of any country. You will equally agree with me that
effective and efficient transport system is a pre-requisite for viable economic
development of any country as it impacts on the level of competitiveness in the
globalized economic endeavors. In the growth of Tanzania’s economy, the transport
sector plays a crucial role. It is a lifeline to other sectors of the economy such as
agriculture, mining, manufacturing, tourism to name but a few. The sector also
facilitates domestic and international trade, contributes to national and regional
integration, and provides accessibility to jobs, health, education and other essential
facilities.
In Tanzania the transport sector has continued to grow and its performance has
improved due to both government efforts and private sector investment in road
transport services, expansion of telecommunications services, modernization of port
infrastructure and services, and improvement in marine, railway and air transport
services. Tanzania with its favourable geographical position serves as transit route
for imports and exports of her neighbours: Malawi, Zambia, DR Congo, Burundi,
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Rwanda, Uganda and Southern Sudan using the port of Dar es Salaam. Currently, the
transport system consists of roads, railways, air, water and pipeline modes.
Ladies and Gentlemen
As we meet here today, I would also like to admit that the capacity of our existing
railway networks is impaired by a number of factors. The biggest drawback is that it
is old and in many parts weak, hence unable to allow fast movement of trains and
high permissible axle loads limits. In fact the rails in some of the links are still of
light weight - meter gauge of the past and cannot handle the axle loads of today’s
freight wagons and locomotives. As a result, most of the branch lines have been
abandoned for lack of competitiveness with the more robust road transport. Lack of
timely, requisite investments in railway infrastructure and rolling stock has been
responsible for the current state of affairs. It is against this background that I am
pleased to be associated with this important Summit that will discuss the short and
long term investment plans, challenges and innovations in railway, roads and ports
infrastructures.
Despite many years of railway decline, the subsector still has potential role to play in
unlocking the enormous economic potential of both Tanzania and the region by
providing reliable, cost effective long distance freight transportation. This explains
why the Country Tanzania has over the past few years given special attention to the
development of the Central Corridor transport infrastructure and services. The
Government’s “BIG RESULT NOW” initiative has set a number of targets to be
achieved by 2015. For example, we want to bring down transit time along the central
corridor between Dar es Salaam and border stations (Rusumo, Kabanga and
Mutukula) from the current 4 or 5 days to 2 and a half days; similarly dwell time
target is 5 days against the current 14 days for transit traffic. To underpin, the
Governments’ seriousness in improving the transport sector, it has already
committed and paid for the purchase of a good number of locomotives, wagons and
other equipment for use on the Tanzania Railways Limited (TRL) network. Similarly
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we have more budget allocation set aside in this year’s budget, for the rehabilitation
of railway infrastructure, intermodal facilities and road infrastructure along the
Central Corridor.
Other initiatives which are on-going in the region include the tripartite agreement
entered into by Burundi, Rwanda and Tanzania on the joint development of the Dar
es Salaam – Isaka – Kigali / Keza – Gitega – Musongati railway line about 1,660 kms
and the agreement between the Government of Uganda and Tanzania on the
development of Tanga – Arusha – Musoma – Kampala railway and ports project.
At this juncture, I would like to express my appreciation to the African Development
Bank for providing a joint grant and loan to Burundi, Rwanda and Tanzania
equivalent to US$ 8.5 million for the detailed studies of the Dar es Salaam – Isaka –
Kigali/Keza – Gitega - Musongati railway line. I have no doubt that this kind of
initiative will yield a workable solution for the development of the East African
Railways in the short, medium and long terms.
I therefore call for candid, robust and productive discussion in the 2 days you will be
here. The most important outcome of this year’s summit should be a plan of action
that addresses the aspirations of the region while acknowledging the challenges
posed in implementing the same.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
At East Africa Railway Master Plan Conference held in February, 2009 at Mlimani
City, Dar es Salaam the Partners States presented their vision of the contribution of
the rail sector to their countries’ economic growth and approaches to revitalizing the
railway as an engine for economic growth. This summit should therefore focus on
how to strategize the Partner States vision to revitalize our railway systems. It is high
time that our Governments harnessed and exploited the huge private sector potential
in railway investments. I am aware that the capital requirements for the
revitalization and modernization of the East Africa railways are enormous. While
this kind of financial quantum may not be easily raised from the public sector, it has
been shown that East Africans and the private sector generally are ready to
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participate in well structured infrastructure development bonds that in some
countries have been oversubscribed.
The second issue is the utilization of appropriate technology given that railways
technology in the region has not changed even after a century of operations. This
technical obsolete has now led to the near collapse of the railways systems rendering
them as I said earlier, uncompetitive in relation particularly to the road transport.
For example, to rehabilitate a locomotive will take a minimum of eight months
because of acquiring spare parts which are not immediately available in the market.
Another area that should be looked into is the question of railways connectivity in the
region. As the region is moving towards a single market it is important that physical
connectivity through efficient transport networks pre-date these integration
initiatives. Time is, therefore, not on our side and we need to keep up with the pace.
We should link and connect our railways and create efficiencies through equipment
sharing, pooling of resources, and joint market exploitation. We should even think of
the wider connectivity to the tripartite region of COMESA, EAC and SADC. Critical
missing links connecting Tanzania with the neighbouring railways should be fast
tracked to enable the region operate through efficient and friendly railways systems.
This, in my view will open up huge potential for development, not only for the EAC
region, but also for the wider Great Lakes region for long –distance freight and bulk
transport, and for urban transport in major cities and for medium-distance intercity
passenger transport.
Chairman of the Summit
Before I conclude, I would like to take this opportunity to urge the private sector to
support our initiatives in transportation. The private sector can own rolling stock
and can be involved in various projects of expanding railway network through
different schemes including Build Operate and Transfer (BOT), Build Own Operate
Transfer (BOOT) just to mention a few. I would like to assure you that the creation
of a reliable, competitive and efficient and customer-focused transport sector,
managed by both public and private sector is a vision that Government has to share.
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Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is not my intention to take much of your time with a long speech as my task
was to officiate the opening of this summit 2013. In that case, may I now take
this opportunity to declare that the 4th East and Central Africa Rail and Road
infrastructure summit 2013 is officially opened, and wish you fruitful and
successful deliberations.
I thank you for your attention
Sunday, 1 September 2013
HOTUBA YA MGENI RASMI- Dr Anath A. Rwebembera, NACP acting Programme Manager
·
HOTUBA YA MGENI RASMI
·
KATIKA UFUNGUZI, MKUTANO WA WADAU WA URATIBU WA MAWASILIANO
YA VIRUSI VYA UKIMWI NA UKIMWI, KIROMO VIEW HOTEL
– BAGAMOYO: 29 AUGUSTI 2013
·
·
Mwenyekiti wa Mkutano
·
Mkurugenzi wa Uraghibishaji kutoka Tume ya Kudhibiti UKIMWI
(TACAIDS)
·
Waratibu wa UKIMWI wa mikoa na manispaa mliopo hapa
·
Wadau wetu katika mapambano dhidi ya UKIMWI nchini
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Wawakilishi kutoka asasi zisizo za kiserikali
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Watekelezaji wa afua za mawasiliano ya VVU na UKIMWI
·
Wageni Waalikwa,
·
Mabibi na mabwana,
·
·
Ndugu Washiriki,
·
Kama ilivyo ada, nianze kwa
kumshukuru Mwenyezi Mungu kwa kutuwezesha kukutana hapa. Pia, nachukua fursa
hii, kwa niaba ya Wizara ya Afya na Ustawi wa Jamii kuwakaribisha wote katika
mkutano huu wa uratibu wa mawasiliano ya VVU na UKIMWI. Kuwepo kwenu hapa
kunadhihirisha ni jinsi gani mlivyo mstari wa mbele katika vita dhidi ya adui
UKIMWI ambaye hivi sasa ana miongo
mitatu tangu aikumbe nchi yetu. Uwepo wenu pia, unaashiria kujitoa kwenu katika
kuhakikisha kwamba, mawasiliano ya VVU na UKIMWI nchini yanaboreshwa na kuwa
madhubuti katika kuzitangaza huduma za kinga ya VVU na zile za matunzo na
matibabu ya UKIMWI. Kwa mara nyingine, nawashukuru wote kwa utayari wenu wa
kushiriki mkutano huu.
·
·
Ndugu Washiriki,
·
Kama
mnavyofahamu, janga la UKIMWI linaendelea kuathiri sekta zote nchini. Sekta ya
afya kwa kushirikiana na wadau mbalimbali katika mapambano dhidi ya UKIMWI
nchini, imekuwa ikichukua juhudi za makusudi katika kudhibiti tangu janga hili
lilipoikumba nchi yenu mwanzoni mwa miaka ya 1980. Tangu kuanza kwa mapambano
dhidi ya UKIMWI nchini, wadau wengi wamekuwa
wakijishughulisha na kutekeleza
shughuli mbalimbali zinazolenga kutoa habari, elimu na mawasiliano dhidi ya VVU
na UKIMWI kwa jamii ya Tanzania ili kupunguza maambukizi mapya.
·
·
Kwa
kipindi chote hiki cha miongo mitatu ya
kuwepo kwa janga la UKIMWI nchini, sekta ya afya imekuwa ikijidhatiti katika
kuhamasisha Jamii kuhusu janga hili na kutoa huduma za ama kuzuia maambukizi au
kutoa huduma za tiba na matunzo kwa watu wanaoishi na VVU.
·
·
·
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Ndugu Washiriki,
·
Kiwango
cha uelewa kuhusu VVU na UKIMWI miongoni mwa watanzania kimeongezeka kutoka
asilimia 5.7 mwanzo mwa miaka ya 1980 na kufikia zaidi ya asilimia 90 katika
miaka ya hivi karibuni. Pamoja na afua zingine, mafanikio haya yamefikiwa
kutokana na afua ya habari, elimu na mawasiliano, afua ambayo imekuwa
ikitekelezwa na wadau mbalimbali kwa kipindi chote hiki cha mapambano dhidi ya
UKIMWI nchini. Afua za mawasiliano zinazolenga makundi maalumu yaliyo katika
hatari zaidi ya kuambukizwa VVU, bila shaka zimechangia kwa kiasi kikubwa
mabadiliko ya tabia kwa watu walio katika makundi haya na matokeo yake ni
kupungua kwa kiwango cha maambukizi ya VVU. Kwa upande wake, Serikali ya
Tanzania ina shauku kubwa ya kuona kiwango cha maambukizi kinapungua hadi
kufikia sifuri. Hili linaweza kufikiwa pale tu sote kwa pamoja tutakapoboresha
juhudi zetu za sasa katika mapambano dhidi ya UKIMWI ikiwemo kuboresha afua ya
habari, elimu na mawasiliano.
·
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Ndugu Washiriki,
·
Kadri
muda wa mapambano dhidi ya UKIMWI unavyosonga mbele, idadi ya wadau wanaojishughulisha na
mawasiliano ya VVU na UKIMWI wamekuwa wakiongezeka kwa kasi huku wakilenga
kuzitangaza afua mbalimbali za UKIMWI. Afua zenyewe ni kama vile damu salama,
udhibiti wa magonjwa ya ngono, ushauri nasaha na upimaji wa VVU, kuzuia
maambukizi ya VVU toka kwa mama kwenda kwa mtoto na huduma ya tohara kwa
wanaume. Kuzitangaza huduma hizi kunahitaji uwepo wa mfumo madhubuti wa utoaji
huduma husika ili kukidhi haja kama vile rasilimali watu. Kwa kuzingatia hayo,
sekta ya afya imeona kuna kila sababu ya kuratibu shughuli zetu za mawasiliano
hasa zile zinazolenga kutangaza huduma ambazo Wizara ina jukumu la kuzitoa.
Wizara inaamini kwamba, utaratibu huu kwa kiasi kikubwa utachangia uwajibikaji
miongoni mwa wadau mbalimbali kwani kabla ya kutangaza huduma. Mhusika atapaswa
kuwasiliana na Wizara kuona kama huduma zilizopo zinaweza kwenda sambamba na
ongezeko la wahitaji wa huduma husika.
·
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Ndugu Washiriki,
·
Tarehe 27 Machi mwaka huu wa
2013, Raisi wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania Mh. Dk. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete
alizindua taarifa ya matokeo ya Utafiti wa Viashiria vya UKIMWI na Malaria ya
mwaka 2011/2012. Katika utafiti huo, imegundulika kwamba, asilimia 5.1 ya
Watanzania wenye umri wa kati ya miaka 15 na 49 wameambukizwa Virusi vya
UKIMWI. Kiwango hiki ni kidogo kwa asilimia 0.6 ukilinganisha na matokeo ya
utafiti wa mwaka 2007/2008 ambapo asilimia 5.7 ya Watanzania wenye umri kati ya
miaka 15 na 49 walikuwa wameambukizwa Virusi vya UKIMWI.
·
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Ndugu Washiriki,
·
Kushuka
kwa kiwango cha maambukizi ya Virusi vya UKIMWI kwa asilimia 0.6 tu kwa kipindi
cha takribani miaka minne ni kasi ndogo sana ya kuelekea kwenye azma yetu ya
Tanzania Bila UKIMWI Inawezekana. Ninaamini kwamba kuongeza kasi na ufanisi
katika shughuli zetu za elimu, habari na mawasiliano ni chachu katika kuchochea
kasi ya kushuka kwa kiwango cha maambukizi nchini. Ili tuwe na ufanisi, hatuna
budi kama wadau tuwe na uratibu mzuri wa kazi zetu na sio kila mdau kufanya
kivyake.
·
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Ndugu Washiriki,
·
Kutokana
na kuwepo kwa wadau wengi wanaojishughulisha na mawasiliano ya VVU na UKIMWI,
watanzania wamekuwa wakipata taarifa hizo kutoka katika vyanzo mbalimbali.
Wingi wa vyanzo hivi unasababisha sekta ya afya kulazimika kutoa huduma za
ziada. Wakati mwingine, Serikali imekuwa ikilazimika kuongeza rasilimali ili
kununua vifaa husika na wakati mwingine kuweka juhudi ili kuhakikisha utolewaji
wa huduma za nyongeza ambazo zitaenda sambamba na ongezeko la watu.
·
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Ndugu Washiriki,
·
Kutokana na
kutokuwa na uratibu mzuri wa kazi zetu za mawasiliano, Wizara ya Afya na Ustawi
wa Jamii kupitia Mpango wa Taifa wa Kudhibiti UKIMWI iliandaa Mkakati wa
Mawasiliano ya VVU na UKIMWI katika Sekta ya Afya. Mkakati huo unatekelezwa kwa
miaka nane, kuanzia 2008 hadi 2015. Mkakati huu uliandaliwa baada kufanyika upembuzi yakinifu katika
mikoa 8 ya Tanzania Bara na kubaini mapungufu katika mikakati yetu ya
Mawasiliano. Mikoa yenyewe ni pamoja na Arusha, D’Salaam, Dodoma, Iringa,
Kigoma, Mara, Mtwara na Shinyanga. Kwa kuzingatia mapungufu hayo, Mkakati
ulioandaliwa unatoa maelekezo ya jinsi ya kutatua mapungufu ya mawasiliano
yaliyobainishwa katika upembuzi yakinifu. Mkakati pia unatumika kama dira ya
kutekeleza mawasiliano yote yanayohusu VVU na UKIMWI katika sekta ya afya hasa
katika afua za kinga, tiba na matunzo, afua ambazo zinatekelezwa na wadau
mbalimbali nchini katika juhudi za kusaidia mapambano ya UKIMWI. Ni matumaini
yangu kwamba, wadau wote wanaojishughulisha na mawasiliano katika sekta ya afya
nchini watatumia mkakati huu katika kupanga, kutekeleza na hata kutathmini afua
za mawasiliano nchini.
·
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Ndugu Washiriki,
·
Mkutano
huu wa siku mbili, unalenga kubadilishana uzoefu katika kutekeleza kazi za
mawasiliano ya VVU na UKIMWI, kazi ambazo zimekuwa zikitekelezwa kuanzia ngazi
ya taifa, mkoa, wilaya hadi jamii.
Mkutano huu pia unalenga kubadilishana uzoefu katika kuandaa mpango wa
utekelezaji wa mkakati wa mawasiliano ya VVU na UKIMWI katika sekta ya afya, na
kuandaa mpango kazi wa utekelezaji wa mkakati huo ambapo vipaumbele vya
ushirikishwaji miongoni mwa wadau na utekelezaji wake vimeainishwa.
·
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Ndugu Washiriki,
·
Nadhani
sote tunafahamu kwamba, hivi sasa Dunia imedhamiria kufikia sifuri 3 ifikapo
mwaka 2015, yaani kuzuia maambukizi mapya ya VVU, vifo vinavyotokana na UKIMWI
na unyanyapaa. Ninashawishika kuamini kwamba afua ya mawasiliano ni suala
mtambuka ambapo litachangia kuifikisha Tanzania katika sifuri hizo 3.
Hatutaweza kuzuia maambukizi mapya endapo jamii haitapata taarifa sahihi za
jinsi ya kujikinga dhidi ya maambukizi. Pia, kutokomeza vifo vinavyotokana na
UKIMWI itakuwa ni ndoto endapo jamii haitapata taarifa sahihi jinsi ya
kutumia huduma za tiba na matunzo kwa
watu wanaoishi na VVU. Vilevile, kupiga vita unyanyapaa kunahitaji taarifa
sahihi ya njia za maambukizi ya VVU. Lakini haya yote yatafanikiwa pale tu sote kwa pamoja
tutakapokuwa na uratibu mzuri wa kazi zetu za mawasiliano hivyo, kuchochea
mabadiliko ya tabia miongoni mwa watanzania.
·
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Ndugu Washiriki,
·
Tangu
kuanza kwa mapambano dhidi ya UKIMWI nchini, Serikali ya Marekani na Mfuko wa
Dunia wa Kupambana na UKIMWI, Kifua Kikuu na Malaria wamekuwa ni wafadhili wetu
wakubwa katika mapambano. Hivi karibuni, tumeshuhudia kupungua kwa raslimali
katika kutekekeleza mapambano dhidi ya UKIMWI nchini kutokana na ukweli kwamba
kuna baadhi ya wafadhili kama vile Serikali za Sweden na Denmark kujitoa. Kujitoa
kwa baadhi ya wafadhili hawa, kunamaanisha upungufu wa misaada pia. Hivyo,
ninatoa rai kwa wadau wa mawasiliano kutumia raslimali kwa ufanisi badala ya
kurudufu kazi miongoni mwa wadau zinazowalenga kundi lilelile la watanzania
hivyo kusababisha matumizi mabaya ya raslimali. Napenda kusisitiza kwamba, hili
nalo litafanikiwa endapo kila mdau atajua mwenzake yuko wapi, anafanya nini, na
kwa walengwa gani.
·
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Ndugu Washiriki,
·
Yatupasa tutambue kwamba,
jukumu la kila mmoja wetu aliyehudhuria mkutano huu ni kueleza hali ya
utekelezaji wa afua za mawasiliano ya VVU na UKIMWI. Sote tuliopo hapa hatuna budi kushiriki kikamilifu katika
mkutano huu, kutoa uzoefu wetu katika mada husika ambao utasaidia kuboresha
mawasiliano ya VVU na UKIMWI nchini. Ninaamini kwamba, mkutano huu utakuwa na
tija kwetu kutokana na ukweli kwamba sote kwa pamoja bila kujali tofauti zetu,
tutakuwa na uelewa na kukubaliana kwa pamoja jinsi ya kuboresha kazi zetu
hivyo, kuongeza ufanisi katika kazi za mawasiliano tunazozifanya.
·
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Ndugu Washiriki,
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Kwa kumalizia hotuba yangu,
ninatoa pongezi kwa Kituo cha Kudhibiti Magonjwa (CDC) kupitia asasi ya
Pathfinder kwa msaada wao ambao umetuwezesha
sote kukusanyika hapa na kupanga mikakati madhubuti katika kuendeleza mapambano
dhidi ya UKIMWI nchini. Msaada huu ni kiashiria tosha kuthibitisha ni jinsi
gani wadau wetu wa maendeleo wanavyofanya kazi bega kwa bega na serikali ili
hatimaye Tanzania nayo iweze kufikia lengo la milenia namba 6 la kupambana na UKIMWI, Malaria na magonjwa
mengine.
·
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Mabibi na Mabwana,
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Kwa heshima na taadhima,
nachukua fursa hii sasa kutangaza kwamba, mkutano wa uratibu wa mawasiliano ya
VVU na UKIMWI umefunguliwa rasmi.
·
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Ahsanteni kwa Kunisikiliza
HOTUBA YA MGENI RASMI- Dr Anath A. Rwebembera, NACP acting Programme Manager
·
HOTUBA YA MGENI RASMI
·
KATIKA UFUNGUZI, MKUTANO WA WADAU WA URATIBU WA MAWASILIANO
YA VIRUSI VYA UKIMWI NA UKIMWI, KIROMO VIEW HOTEL
– BAGAMOYO: 29 AUGUSTI 2013
·
·
Mwenyekiti wa Mkutano
·
Mkurugenzi wa Uraghibishaji kutoka Tume ya Kudhibiti UKIMWI
(TACAIDS)
·
Waratibu wa UKIMWI wa mikoa na manispaa mliopo hapa
·
Wadau wetu katika mapambano dhidi ya UKIMWI nchini
·
Wawakilishi kutoka asasi zisizo za kiserikali
·
Watekelezaji wa afua za mawasiliano ya VVU na UKIMWI
·
Wageni Waalikwa,
·
Mabibi na mabwana,
·
·
Ndugu Washiriki,
·
Kama ilivyo ada, nianze kwa
kumshukuru Mwenyezi Mungu kwa kutuwezesha kukutana hapa. Pia, nachukua fursa
hii, kwa niaba ya Wizara ya Afya na Ustawi wa Jamii kuwakaribisha wote katika
mkutano huu wa uratibu wa mawasiliano ya VVU na UKIMWI. Kuwepo kwenu hapa
kunadhihirisha ni jinsi gani mlivyo mstari wa mbele katika vita dhidi ya adui
UKIMWI ambaye hivi sasa ana miongo
mitatu tangu aikumbe nchi yetu. Uwepo wenu pia, unaashiria kujitoa kwenu katika
kuhakikisha kwamba, mawasiliano ya VVU na UKIMWI nchini yanaboreshwa na kuwa
madhubuti katika kuzitangaza huduma za kinga ya VVU na zile za matunzo na
matibabu ya UKIMWI. Kwa mara nyingine, nawashukuru wote kwa utayari wenu wa
kushiriki mkutano huu.
·
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Ndugu Washiriki,
·
Kama
mnavyofahamu, janga la UKIMWI linaendelea kuathiri sekta zote nchini. Sekta ya
afya kwa kushirikiana na wadau mbalimbali katika mapambano dhidi ya UKIMWI
nchini, imekuwa ikichukua juhudi za makusudi katika kudhibiti tangu janga hili
lilipoikumba nchi yenu mwanzoni mwa miaka ya 1980. Tangu kuanza kwa mapambano
dhidi ya UKIMWI nchini, wadau wengi wamekuwa
wakijishughulisha na kutekeleza
shughuli mbalimbali zinazolenga kutoa habari, elimu na mawasiliano dhidi ya VVU
na UKIMWI kwa jamii ya Tanzania ili kupunguza maambukizi mapya.
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Kwa
kipindi chote hiki cha miongo mitatu ya
kuwepo kwa janga la UKIMWI nchini, sekta ya afya imekuwa ikijidhatiti katika
kuhamasisha Jamii kuhusu janga hili na kutoa huduma za ama kuzuia maambukizi au
kutoa huduma za tiba na matunzo kwa watu wanaoishi na VVU.
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Ndugu Washiriki,
·
Kiwango
cha uelewa kuhusu VVU na UKIMWI miongoni mwa watanzania kimeongezeka kutoka
asilimia 5.7 mwanzo mwa miaka ya 1980 na kufikia zaidi ya asilimia 90 katika
miaka ya hivi karibuni. Pamoja na afua zingine, mafanikio haya yamefikiwa
kutokana na afua ya habari, elimu na mawasiliano, afua ambayo imekuwa
ikitekelezwa na wadau mbalimbali kwa kipindi chote hiki cha mapambano dhidi ya
UKIMWI nchini. Afua za mawasiliano zinazolenga makundi maalumu yaliyo katika
hatari zaidi ya kuambukizwa VVU, bila shaka zimechangia kwa kiasi kikubwa
mabadiliko ya tabia kwa watu walio katika makundi haya na matokeo yake ni
kupungua kwa kiwango cha maambukizi ya VVU. Kwa upande wake, Serikali ya
Tanzania ina shauku kubwa ya kuona kiwango cha maambukizi kinapungua hadi
kufikia sifuri. Hili linaweza kufikiwa pale tu sote kwa pamoja tutakapoboresha
juhudi zetu za sasa katika mapambano dhidi ya UKIMWI ikiwemo kuboresha afua ya
habari, elimu na mawasiliano.
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Ndugu Washiriki,
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Kadri
muda wa mapambano dhidi ya UKIMWI unavyosonga mbele, idadi ya wadau wanaojishughulisha na
mawasiliano ya VVU na UKIMWI wamekuwa wakiongezeka kwa kasi huku wakilenga
kuzitangaza afua mbalimbali za UKIMWI. Afua zenyewe ni kama vile damu salama,
udhibiti wa magonjwa ya ngono, ushauri nasaha na upimaji wa VVU, kuzuia
maambukizi ya VVU toka kwa mama kwenda kwa mtoto na huduma ya tohara kwa
wanaume. Kuzitangaza huduma hizi kunahitaji uwepo wa mfumo madhubuti wa utoaji
huduma husika ili kukidhi haja kama vile rasilimali watu. Kwa kuzingatia hayo,
sekta ya afya imeona kuna kila sababu ya kuratibu shughuli zetu za mawasiliano
hasa zile zinazolenga kutangaza huduma ambazo Wizara ina jukumu la kuzitoa.
Wizara inaamini kwamba, utaratibu huu kwa kiasi kikubwa utachangia uwajibikaji
miongoni mwa wadau mbalimbali kwani kabla ya kutangaza huduma. Mhusika atapaswa
kuwasiliana na Wizara kuona kama huduma zilizopo zinaweza kwenda sambamba na
ongezeko la wahitaji wa huduma husika.
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Ndugu Washiriki,
·
Tarehe 27 Machi mwaka huu wa
2013, Raisi wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania Mh. Dk. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete
alizindua taarifa ya matokeo ya Utafiti wa Viashiria vya UKIMWI na Malaria ya
mwaka 2011/2012. Katika utafiti huo, imegundulika kwamba, asilimia 5.1 ya
Watanzania wenye umri wa kati ya miaka 15 na 49 wameambukizwa Virusi vya
UKIMWI. Kiwango hiki ni kidogo kwa asilimia 0.6 ukilinganisha na matokeo ya
utafiti wa mwaka 2007/2008 ambapo asilimia 5.7 ya Watanzania wenye umri kati ya
miaka 15 na 49 walikuwa wameambukizwa Virusi vya UKIMWI.
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Ndugu Washiriki,
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Kushuka
kwa kiwango cha maambukizi ya Virusi vya UKIMWI kwa asilimia 0.6 tu kwa kipindi
cha takribani miaka minne ni kasi ndogo sana ya kuelekea kwenye azma yetu ya
Tanzania Bila UKIMWI Inawezekana. Ninaamini kwamba kuongeza kasi na ufanisi
katika shughuli zetu za elimu, habari na mawasiliano ni chachu katika kuchochea
kasi ya kushuka kwa kiwango cha maambukizi nchini. Ili tuwe na ufanisi, hatuna
budi kama wadau tuwe na uratibu mzuri wa kazi zetu na sio kila mdau kufanya
kivyake.
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Ndugu Washiriki,
·
Kutokana
na kuwepo kwa wadau wengi wanaojishughulisha na mawasiliano ya VVU na UKIMWI,
watanzania wamekuwa wakipata taarifa hizo kutoka katika vyanzo mbalimbali.
Wingi wa vyanzo hivi unasababisha sekta ya afya kulazimika kutoa huduma za
ziada. Wakati mwingine, Serikali imekuwa ikilazimika kuongeza rasilimali ili
kununua vifaa husika na wakati mwingine kuweka juhudi ili kuhakikisha utolewaji
wa huduma za nyongeza ambazo zitaenda sambamba na ongezeko la watu.
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Ndugu Washiriki,
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Kutokana na
kutokuwa na uratibu mzuri wa kazi zetu za mawasiliano, Wizara ya Afya na Ustawi
wa Jamii kupitia Mpango wa Taifa wa Kudhibiti UKIMWI iliandaa Mkakati wa
Mawasiliano ya VVU na UKIMWI katika Sekta ya Afya. Mkakati huo unatekelezwa kwa
miaka nane, kuanzia 2008 hadi 2015. Mkakati huu uliandaliwa baada kufanyika upembuzi yakinifu katika
mikoa 8 ya Tanzania Bara na kubaini mapungufu katika mikakati yetu ya
Mawasiliano. Mikoa yenyewe ni pamoja na Arusha, D’Salaam, Dodoma, Iringa,
Kigoma, Mara, Mtwara na Shinyanga. Kwa kuzingatia mapungufu hayo, Mkakati
ulioandaliwa unatoa maelekezo ya jinsi ya kutatua mapungufu ya mawasiliano
yaliyobainishwa katika upembuzi yakinifu. Mkakati pia unatumika kama dira ya
kutekeleza mawasiliano yote yanayohusu VVU na UKIMWI katika sekta ya afya hasa
katika afua za kinga, tiba na matunzo, afua ambazo zinatekelezwa na wadau
mbalimbali nchini katika juhudi za kusaidia mapambano ya UKIMWI. Ni matumaini
yangu kwamba, wadau wote wanaojishughulisha na mawasiliano katika sekta ya afya
nchini watatumia mkakati huu katika kupanga, kutekeleza na hata kutathmini afua
za mawasiliano nchini.
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Ndugu Washiriki,
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Mkutano
huu wa siku mbili, unalenga kubadilishana uzoefu katika kutekeleza kazi za
mawasiliano ya VVU na UKIMWI, kazi ambazo zimekuwa zikitekelezwa kuanzia ngazi
ya taifa, mkoa, wilaya hadi jamii.
Mkutano huu pia unalenga kubadilishana uzoefu katika kuandaa mpango wa
utekelezaji wa mkakati wa mawasiliano ya VVU na UKIMWI katika sekta ya afya, na
kuandaa mpango kazi wa utekelezaji wa mkakati huo ambapo vipaumbele vya
ushirikishwaji miongoni mwa wadau na utekelezaji wake vimeainishwa.
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Ndugu Washiriki,
·
Nadhani
sote tunafahamu kwamba, hivi sasa Dunia imedhamiria kufikia sifuri 3 ifikapo
mwaka 2015, yaani kuzuia maambukizi mapya ya VVU, vifo vinavyotokana na UKIMWI
na unyanyapaa. Ninashawishika kuamini kwamba afua ya mawasiliano ni suala
mtambuka ambapo litachangia kuifikisha Tanzania katika sifuri hizo 3.
Hatutaweza kuzuia maambukizi mapya endapo jamii haitapata taarifa sahihi za
jinsi ya kujikinga dhidi ya maambukizi. Pia, kutokomeza vifo vinavyotokana na
UKIMWI itakuwa ni ndoto endapo jamii haitapata taarifa sahihi jinsi ya
kutumia huduma za tiba na matunzo kwa
watu wanaoishi na VVU. Vilevile, kupiga vita unyanyapaa kunahitaji taarifa
sahihi ya njia za maambukizi ya VVU. Lakini haya yote yatafanikiwa pale tu sote kwa pamoja
tutakapokuwa na uratibu mzuri wa kazi zetu za mawasiliano hivyo, kuchochea
mabadiliko ya tabia miongoni mwa watanzania.
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Ndugu Washiriki,
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Tangu
kuanza kwa mapambano dhidi ya UKIMWI nchini, Serikali ya Marekani na Mfuko wa
Dunia wa Kupambana na UKIMWI, Kifua Kikuu na Malaria wamekuwa ni wafadhili wetu
wakubwa katika mapambano. Hivi karibuni, tumeshuhudia kupungua kwa raslimali
katika kutekekeleza mapambano dhidi ya UKIMWI nchini kutokana na ukweli kwamba
kuna baadhi ya wafadhili kama vile Serikali za Sweden na Denmark kujitoa. Kujitoa
kwa baadhi ya wafadhili hawa, kunamaanisha upungufu wa misaada pia. Hivyo,
ninatoa rai kwa wadau wa mawasiliano kutumia raslimali kwa ufanisi badala ya
kurudufu kazi miongoni mwa wadau zinazowalenga kundi lilelile la watanzania
hivyo kusababisha matumizi mabaya ya raslimali. Napenda kusisitiza kwamba, hili
nalo litafanikiwa endapo kila mdau atajua mwenzake yuko wapi, anafanya nini, na
kwa walengwa gani.
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Ndugu Washiriki,
·
Yatupasa tutambue kwamba,
jukumu la kila mmoja wetu aliyehudhuria mkutano huu ni kueleza hali ya
utekelezaji wa afua za mawasiliano ya VVU na UKIMWI. Sote tuliopo hapa hatuna budi kushiriki kikamilifu katika
mkutano huu, kutoa uzoefu wetu katika mada husika ambao utasaidia kuboresha
mawasiliano ya VVU na UKIMWI nchini. Ninaamini kwamba, mkutano huu utakuwa na
tija kwetu kutokana na ukweli kwamba sote kwa pamoja bila kujali tofauti zetu,
tutakuwa na uelewa na kukubaliana kwa pamoja jinsi ya kuboresha kazi zetu
hivyo, kuongeza ufanisi katika kazi za mawasiliano tunazozifanya.
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Ndugu Washiriki,
·
Kwa kumalizia hotuba yangu,
ninatoa pongezi kwa Kituo cha Kudhibiti Magonjwa (CDC) kupitia asasi ya
Pathfinder kwa msaada wao ambao umetuwezesha
sote kukusanyika hapa na kupanga mikakati madhubuti katika kuendeleza mapambano
dhidi ya UKIMWI nchini. Msaada huu ni kiashiria tosha kuthibitisha ni jinsi
gani wadau wetu wa maendeleo wanavyofanya kazi bega kwa bega na serikali ili
hatimaye Tanzania nayo iweze kufikia lengo la milenia namba 6 la kupambana na UKIMWI, Malaria na magonjwa
mengine.
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Mabibi na Mabwana,
·
Kwa heshima na taadhima,
nachukua fursa hii sasa kutangaza kwamba, mkutano wa uratibu wa mawasiliano ya
VVU na UKIMWI umefunguliwa rasmi.
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Ahsanteni kwa Kunisikiliza
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