Posted on :Monday , 5th August 2024

Authorities in Zanzibar, Tanzania, commended the Chinese aid effort for controlling schistosomiasis, or bilharzia, stating that it has contributed to the disease's eradication in the Indian Ocean islands.

The principal secretary of the Zanzibar Ministry of Health, Katibu Mkuu Habiba, and the coordinator of the Ministry of Health on Pemba Island, Khamis Bilali Ali, expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the China-aid Project on Schistosomiasis Control during their visit.

The second-phase project's history, current status, and operational paradigm were all briefly discussed by the Chinese project managers.

Habiba expressed her gratitude to the Chinese government for its consistent support of Zanzibar's health initiatives over the years and complimented the Chinese schistosomiasis control expert group on their efforts to eradicate the disease in Zanzibar and assist the local population in overcoming the negative effects of it.

In order to achieve the goal of eliminating schistosomiasis as soon as possible, Habiba hoped that the Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases—the specific unit assigned to carry out the project—would increase technology transfer, offer more support in the form of capacity training for Zanzibar personnel, cultivate excellent talent in schistosomiasis control.

Additionally, she stated that the potential advantages of integrated schistosomiasis management measures, such as the elimination of snails through ecological interventions and the provision of safe water, would help the local population enhance their quality of life while lowering the risk of coming into contact with contaminated water.

As part of the project, the expert team presented the results of their work developing a base for science popularization and promoting public health. A summary of the steps taken to ensure a safe water supply and control of snail populations was also given, along with a demonstration of the schistosomiasis detection process and snail ecology tests.

After over a year of fieldwork, the China-aid project experts in Zanzibar have produced impressive control results and won plaudits from the Tanzanian authorities as well as the local populace.