30th March, 2012
Following the launch of “Tanzania Tourism Industry Unites Against Malaria” on May 5th 2011 in Dar-Es-Salaam, Johns Hopkins University’s Centre for Communication Programs (United Against Malaria Program) in collaboration with the National Malaria Control Program, wish to continue to support the industry in taking a stand against malaria in Tanzania.
Malaria can be prevented and treated through simple tools like mosquito nets, effective medicines and safe indoor residual spraying. Over 90% of the population is at risk from this deadly disease and there are over 10-20 million cases annually accounting for deaths between 60,000- 80,000 people. It is the leading cause of outpatient cases, inpatient (admissions) and death of children under the age of five. Click Here For More
Empowering the private sector to commit and take action is the Malaria Safe program under UAM. This program provides corporations with education, prevention and advocacy tools to protect their employees and local communities from malaria. They are helping the most at-risk populations achieve better health, lower healthcare costs, greater productivity, and a higher standard of living and economic development.
A great success story has been Said Salim Bakhresa and Co. (SSB), after partnering to raise awareness of malaria and through initiatives targeting its employees, malaria related illness among the staff dropped by 80%, resulting in a healthier workforce with increased productivity and a one-third decrease in the company’s monthly bill for malaria medicines. The Malaria Safe program works and we are confident that increasing the number of Malaria Safe partners in Tanzania will benefit Tanzanian business, the government and society as a whole.
The program would be extremely honoured if the Hotel Association of Tanzania joined the campaign. Below are ways that we can work together are:
1. Training/Awareness:
a. Hold malaria trainings for all Hotels
b. Coordination with the existing Community Change Agents in every district to give malaria presentations and net distributions during these events. These Community Change Agents are stationed in each district and already give presentations and conduct different malaria activities at the Ward level.
c. All those that complete the training will be issued with a Malaria safe playbook to start implementing at their work places. This is a resource guide with winning strategies and best practices for the fight against malaria.
To implement the above training for your employees at your hotel, please contact: Mike Ngatunga at mngatunga@jhsph.edu
