DAR ES SALAAM: THE Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr Seif Shekalaghe, has called on various stakeholders to increase efforts in the fight against teen pregnancy, HIV transmission among adolescents, and ensuring that young people stay in school.
Opening the Adolescent Health Conference in Sub-Saharan Africa held in Dar es Salaam, Dr Shekalaghe said the conference is an important platform to exchange experiences, strengthen research and accelerate the implementation of effective interventions for youth health in Africa.
Dr Shekalaghe stressed the importance of strengthening mental health interventions, HPV vaccination, good nutrition for adolescents as well as the fight against gender-based violence and violence against children.
He explained that the participation of adolescents and young people themselves in designing and implementing solutions to the challenges they face is fundamental, noting that sustainable success can not be achieved without directly involving the beneficiaries of these interventions.
“Let us strengthen multi-sectoral cooperation mechanisms with strong leadership that enables us to mobilize resources and ensure that the knowledge generated is translated into real results for society and expanded further,” said Dr Shekalaghe.
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He explained that political commitment in the health sector has currently reached a high level, especially due to the leadership of Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan as the African Union Champion on Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, as well as Reproductive Health and Rights.
He added that the awarding of President Samia, including the Global Goalkeeper Award from the Gates Foundation, is a sign of recognition of Tanzania’s contribution in strengthening health and social welfare systems, and accelerating the implementation of various interventions.