MedicoPRESSTz

30/05/2024

This was the story of how a business trip to Zanzibar opened new opportunity for seaweed farming venture.

Calls were being made to protect the endangered seaweeds from bugs. Scientists were eyeing a rewarding business from promoting health benefits of the marine plants.

Read: https://medicopress.media/two-marine-scientists-on-healthy-seaweed-mission-in-tanzania/

08/05/2024

Dr. Ndugulile seeks to be the first East African to hold the position of Regional Director for Africa at the World Health Organization.
https://medicopress.media/tanzania-endorses-dr-ndugulile-for-who-africa-director-position/

25/04/2024

For many in Tanzania, the mere mention of mosquitoes conjures a distressing image of malaria, the debilitating disease they carry. Beyond the illness, there's the constant nuisance – the high-pitched scream of their wings, the frantic swatting in the air, the unexpected landing on exposed skin, fo...

24/04/2024

🦟Ahead of World Malaria Day, we're spotlighting a remarkable scientist at Tanzania's National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR)! 🇹🇿

🔬She is a senior scientist following in the footsteps of pioneering researchers, unlocking the secrets of mosquito behavior in the fight against malaria.

Read the full story here:https://medicopress.media/in-mweles-footsteps-meet-the-nimr-scientist-decoding-mosquito-behaviours/

22/04/2024

https://medicopress.media/over-5-million-girls-to-receive-vaccine-against-cervical-cancer-in-tanzania/

Tanzania has launched a nationwide campaign to vaccinate over 5 million girls aged 9-14 years against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), the leading cause of cervical cancer.

12/04/2024

To many, Dr 's name resonates with the COVID-19 controversy story in Tanzania.

But beyond the pandemic rhetoric, what's her story?

Born in Serengeti, Tanzania, her dream of becoming a doctor was inspired by one dedicated doctor.
👉https://medicopress.media/nyambura-moremi/

14/01/2024

In a historic first for Tanzania’s oldest medical school, a Pharmacology Professor, Apolinary Kamuhabwa, has been appointed as the Vice Chancellor of Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS), an appointment that marks a significant shift in leadership, placing a pharmacist at the forefront of Tanzania’s healthcare academia.

Traditionally, medicine has held a more prominent position within the healthcare hierarchy in Tanzania, likely due to the historical emphasis on physician-led care. There is an ongoing, subtle push for non-medicine professionals to lead health institutions. Read the story on www.medicopress.media or if you are on Facebook , you can click directly on the link: https://medicopress.media/muhas-gets-pharmacist-as-vice-chancellor-the-universitys-historic-first/

07/01/2024

The move comes on the heels of a tense week marked by price wrangles between NHIF and private hospitals, with the latter threatening to halt services to NHIF members if the issue remained unresolved.

Read: https://medicopress.media/is-your-card-still-valid-nhif-assures-services-amidst-rumors/

07/01/2024

Registration of traditional medicines is not just an administrative exercise; it’s a critical step towards recognizing and unlocking the value of traditional medicine, as per our country’s Health Sector Strategic Plan five (HSSP V)

Read via the link below 👇
https://medicopress.media/how-practitioners-can-secure-tanzanias-traditional-medicine-potential/

07/01/2024

https://medicopress.media/how-practitioners-can-secure-tanzanias-traditional-medicine-potential/

As our country moves toward a holistic healthcare system that cherishes the power of our ancestral knowledge, traditional medicine practitioners take center stage, and a crucial process awaits: registering the medicines you produce so they can be integrated into the formal health system.

06/01/2024

Pharmacy Council Overwhelmed? Government Eyes TMDA For Inspections
https://medicopress.media/pharmacy-council-overwhelmed-government-eyes-tmda-for-inspections/

06/01/2024

https://medicopress.media/pharmacy-council-overwhelmed-government-eyes-tmda-for-inspections/

04/01/2024

Minister of Health Meets Private Health Stakeholders

Following threats of a boycott by private hospitals, the Minister of Health, Ummy Mwalimu, has met with representatives of health facilities across Tanzania to discuss the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) benefit package.

The meeting, held on January 4, 2024, at the Ministry of Health's offices in Dar es Salaam, aimed to reach a joint agreement and improve access to quality healthcare for NHIF members throughout the country.

Minister Mwalimu urged open discussions and a focus on the broader interests of Tanzanians, ensuring healthcare services are available without financial barriers.

High-ranking officials from the Ministry of Health, NHIF, and relevant regulatory bodies like the Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority (TMDA) and Tanzania Medical Stores (MSD) attended the meeting.

This dialogue comes after private hospitals threatened to stop treating NHIF members due to concerns about the current benefit package. They felt it did not adequately cover the cost of services provided, leading to financial losses.

The outcome of the meeting is yet to be officially announced, but it signifies a positive step towards resolving the dispute and ensuring NHIF members receive the quality healthcare they deserve.

It is hoped that a revised benefit package can be established, addressing the concerns of both private hospitals and NHIF members, ultimately leading to improved access to healthcare for all Tanzanians.

01/01/2024

As we wait with baited breath to see the outcome of the 4th January 2024 roundtable meeting with the Minister of Health on the price dispute between NHIF and private health facilities, it’s worthwhile revisiting why this standoff exists.

https://medicopress.media/why-nhif-is-trapped-in-endless-price-wrangles-with-private-hospitals/

01/01/2024

The question that begs an answer is: Why does this price tug-of-war between NHIF and private health providers keep happening? Is there an escape from this endless loop? And who loses, in the end?

Read: https://medicopress.media/why-nhif-is-trapped-in-endless-price-wrangles-with-private-hospitals/

01/01/2024

https://medicopress.media/why-nhif-is-trapped-in-endless-price-wrangles-with-private-hospitals/

As the curtain falls on another year(2024), many unresolved issues remain at the forefront in the health sector, especially at the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) which has been embroiled in a price dispute with private health facilities, with the latter threatening to boycott members of NHIF....

24/12/2023

Sending warm wishes from MedicoPRESS! 🩺 We're incredibly grateful for your support, admiration, and partnership as we bridge the gap between medics and media. ✨ May this Christmas and New Year be filled with joy, health, and well-deserved rest. Happy Holidays!

19/12/2023

Tanzanian AI Health Pioneers Navigate a "Data Desert"

And for now, as the country lacks dedicated regulations on AI and quality data to train "responsible models", a researcher who focuses on AI Deogratias Mzurikwao cautions against the dangers of “irresponsible AI products” flourishing in an unregulated environment as resources remain scarce for innovators in developing safe and ethical solutions.

This situation underscores the urgent need for comprehensive AI governance to ensure the ethical and safe development of AI technologies.

“Young, ambitious AI innovators might prioritise speed to have their products on the market over ethics. This means that potentially harmful products may be released to society,” he says.

https://medicopress.media/tanzanian-ai-health-scientists-navigate-data-desert/

17/12/2023

As we gear up for a new week, let’s take a look back at some of the major headlines in medicine and health that grabbed our attention this past week.

From rising respiratory infections in Tanzania to the WHO’s recognition of “noma” as a neglected tropical disease, to Gavi’s commitment to boosting vaccine manufacturing in Africa, there’s been no shortage of important developments.
So, buckle up as we dive into the week’s top stories: The link:https://medicopress.media/medicoroundup-top-headlines-in-medicine-and-health-this-week/

07/12/2023

As Africa seeks to reposition itself in global health, it's required to think beyond the confines of traditional healthcare models.

Africa CDCDG Dr. JeanKaseya2 emphasizes the need to harness technology’s power; in his opening speech

Link https://medicopress.media/africa-unveils-ai-driven-platform-to-boost-healthcare/

02/12/2023

The public health landscape in Africa remains riddled with challenges that demand immediate attention, despite ending COVID-19 as global health emergency. Who can shape the continent's health agenda going forward?

Read 's piece viahttps://medicopress.media/beyond-echoes-of-past-crisis-youth-can-drive-africas-health-agenda/

07/11/2023

https://medicopress.media/first-cohort-of-medical-journalism-program-from-medicopress-joins-udsm/

The first cohort of the Medical Journalism Program under MedicoPRESS, who constitute scientists with a background in biology and medicine, have joined the School of Journalism and Mass Communication of the University of Dar es Salaam. Isai Mathias and Carolyn Mwasha are passionate about journalism a...

07/11/2023

https://medicopress.media/silent-but-grave-heart-disease-preying-on-young-hearts/

Imagine a seemingly ordinary sore throat, the kind that you may have experienced during cold seasons. You’ve perhaps relieved the itchiness with a pill or two, swallowed with a glass of water. But for some, these sore throats can lead to serious complications. In East Africa, one in seven people s...

07/11/2023

Silent But Grave Heart Disease Preying On Young Hearts"

Isai Mathias, a Medical Journalism Scholar under our Medical Journalism Program published his debut medical story in MedicoPRESS. Join him in reading the piece as he embarks on a new career experience.

🔗 to the article:https://medicopress.media/silent-but-grave-heart-disease-preying-on-young-hearts/

23/10/2023

Infusing Biology/ Medical scientists with Journalism to practice "Medical Journalism"

MedicoPRESS is excited to announce the launch of its Medical Journalism Program, the first of its kind in Tanzania! Through this program, scientists with a background in biology and medical science will be trained to become medical journalists. We are thrilled to welcome our first two scholars, Ms. Carolyn Mwasha and Mr. Isai Mathias, to the program.

Carolyn and Isai will go through a rigorous four-stage training program:
1️⃣ Acquiring academic qualifications at the University of Dar es Salaam
2️⃣ Concurrently building a Medical Journalism Portfolio through MEDICOPRESS www.medicopress.media
3️⃣ Going through the accreditation process through the Ministry of Information, Communication and Information Technology
4️⃣ Graduating as qualified journalists who have been nurtured to become Medical Journalists

We are grateful to the Council of Tanzania (MCT) Program Officer and a seasoned journalist Ms. Mwalimu, for gracing the signing event, and pledging to offer moral and technical support to the aspiring Medical Journalists.

MEDICOPRESS believes that medical journalism is essential for public health education and advocacy. Medical journalists play a vital role in bridging the gap between the medical community and the public. They help to communicate complex medical information in a clear and understandable way, and they hold decision-makers accountable for public health.
We are confident that Carolyn and Isai will become excellent medical journalists. They are both passionate about science and communication, and they are committed to using their skills to make a positive impact on the world.

We wish them all the best in their journey!

About MEDICOPRESS

MEDICOPRESS is a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) that promotes Medical Journalism, Professional Development and Public Health Education. It is a network of medical scientists and journalists who believe in the dissemination of accurate medical/ health inform information in the process of imparting positive changes in the community.

06/09/2023

How can journalists keep pace with the rapidly evolving medical science as they seek to tell a story with impact?

Researchcom has organised this training to enable them find avenues for generating new medical story ideas through & .