Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa has called for an end to the stigma surrounding autism, urging Tanzanians to support children and individuals living with autism, mental disorders, and intellectual impairments.
He also urged parents and guardians with children with mental challenges to seek advice from health experts so that their children can benefit from the services available at a young age.
Highlighting the importance of seeking advice from health experts for children facing mental challenges to ensure they benefit from available services at a young age.
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“Our experts should continue to increase efforts in educating the community about these diseases so that more people can benefit from the services,” Prime Minister Majaliwa said after participating in the Run 4 Autism Tanzania charity run, held at Green Ground, Oysterbay in Dar Es Salaam on Sunday.
The Prime Minister stressed the need for increased community education on these conditions to enhance awareness and accessibility to services.
Additionally, he directed government ministries to improve diagnostic services, expand integrated education services, and promote the well-being of individuals with disabilities.
Majaliwa, further directed the media, artists and members of the community in general to use every opportunity at their disposal to educate the community about various health issues.
“Journalists, use your pens to educate the community about health and the control of various diseases, including mental diseases,” he said.
The Minister for Health, Ms Ummy Mwalimu, said her docket in collaboration with Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) has established the first degree in Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and the first degree in Clinical Psychology which are starting this year.
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“The establishment of these degrees aims to ensure that the rehabilitation services are given high priority by the government,” he said.
Earlier, Ms. Hilda Nkabe, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Lukiza Autism Foundation and the organizer of the marathon, stated that the marathon’s objective is to raise 50 million Tanzanian shillings for a five-year strategy (2024-2028) aimed at enhancing the well-being of children displaying autism indicators.
“This strategy is to strengthen the government’s plans through the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health by improving the ability of nursery teachers to identify signs of Autism in children,” she said.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), autism affects one child out of every 160 worldwide.
Last September, the government pledged to continue supporting the private sector in efforts to enhance the welfare of Tanzanian children. Prime Minister Majaliwa made this commitment after participating in a charity run organized by Maendeleo Bank in Dar es Salaam to celebrate the bank’s 10th anniversary.
He emphasized that the government has taken various measures to ensure the well-being of children and provide access to education for those with special needs. The Prime Minister urged society to protect children, particularly those with physical challenges, by reporting any acts of violence against them.
Furthermore, he highlighted that all district hospitals offer services for newborns and premature babies, providing specialized care for these vulnerable infants.
Majaliwa also noted that the government is working on providing services for children with autism to help them improve their communication skills through speech therapy and occupational therapy.
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