• Contact
  • About
DONATE
NEWSLETTER SIGN UP
  • Login
North East Bylines
  • Home
  • News
    • All
    • Brexit
    • Education
    • Environment
    • European News
    • Health
    • Politics
    • Science
    • UK News
    • World News
    man looking anxious

    Never assume: honesty and mental health

    Flood in York in 2022. Climate change brings about more floods and not just heatwaves and wildfires

    The Tories’ climate change policy does not add up

    A sign with the "not equal" symbol is held in a crowd

    Inequality and development: from global to local

    South Tyneside's only black electric taxi

    A sustainable policy for Tyneside taxis

    Ben Houchen by Scott Hunter

    Alleged National Audit Office review of Teesworks

    Child poverty protestor

    Child poverty: enough is enough

    Boys with kite in Kabul

    One year since the fall of Afghanistan

    North East for Europe at an earlier London march

    The North East in London for National Rejoin March

    Tyne Bridge

    Newcastle shortlisted for Eurovision 2023

    Trending Tags

    • Ukraine
  • Culture
    • All
    • Animation
    • Books
    • Illustrations & More
    • Music
    • Performance
    • Poetry
    • Social Media
    • Theatre
    • TV & Radio
    The Rock Showman

    Hardwick Festival is down with the kids

    Witty Look

    All aboard the festival bus for Hardwick this weekend

    Boys with kite in Kabul

    One year since the fall of Afghanistan

    Eurovision sign

    The North East could host Eurovision in 2023

  • Lifestyle
    • All
    • Fashion
    • Food & Drink
    • Health & Fitness
    Master Chef of Great Britain

    Master Chef of Great Britain at Lumley

    Prezzo

    Discovering the new summer menu at Prezzo

    Chef and son

    MasterChef’s’ Posh Street Food chef’s own summer of entertainment

    Scottish highlands

    The beauty of the Scottish Highlands

    Kleo Tabuku

    Top chef to open Newcastle restaurant, Lovage

    Pop up park

    Pop up to the park in Sunderland

    The Blackbird Inn, Ponteland

    The Blackbird Inn flies high with its new summer menu

    gymnast

    Culture of fear in British gymnastics uncovered by the Whyte Review

    Kennedy and Rhind

    Kennedy and Rhind: more time to enjoy a North East favourite

    Trending Tags

    • Business
      • All
      • Economy
      • Rural
      • Technology
      • Trade
      • Voluntary Sector
      Liz Truss

      Tory leadership election: Liz Truss should look at how economies work

      Ben Houchen by Scott Hunter

      Alleged National Audit Office review of Teesworks

      Fishing protest

      Dead crustaceans on North East coast: the next chapter

      Scottish highlands

      The beauty of the Scottish Highlands

      loo

      A room with a loo

      Newcastle quayside

      Newcastle named as one of the best cities for graduates

      Brexit economics

      New research shows the economic effect of Brexit

      Wetherspoons pub

      Wetherspoons sparkle: has it gone flat?

      Leon Fussell rehearsing

      Unsung Heroes at Queen’s Hall, Hexham

      Trending Tags

      • Region
        • All
        • Co. Durham
        • North East
        • Northumberland
        • Teesside
        • Tyneside
        • Wearside
        Fire in Gosforth

        Firefighters praised for life-saving response to Gosforth arson attack

        A sign with the "not equal" symbol is held in a crowd

        Inequality and development: from global to local

        South Tyneside's only black electric taxi

        A sustainable policy for Tyneside taxis

        Ben Houchen by Scott Hunter

        Alleged National Audit Office review of Teesworks

        Child poverty protestor

        Child poverty: enough is enough

        Tyne Bridge

        Newcastle shortlisted for Eurovision 2023

        Wildfire at Witherwack

        “Busier than Bonfire Night” as wildfire rages for over 20 hours

        Fishing protest

        Dead crustaceans on North East coast: the next chapter

        NUFC foodbank

        Howay the lads and lasses: the new football foodbank season ‘22/23

        Trending Tags

        • Opinion
          Titanic coming out of Southampton

          The 110th anniversary of the Titanic’s departure

          There is an England

          There is an England

          Prime Minister Boris Johnson signs the Withdrawal Agreement with the European Union"

          The parody of disinformation: Boris Johnson on Ukraine and Brexit

          Boris Johnson’s comments on Ukraine and Brexit are an insult

          TV Agency staff jumping in the air

          The TV Agency celebrates 10th anniversary with global success

          North East of County Dublin

          North East of England and North East of County Dublin: Compare and contrast

          North Sea oil rig

          Copping out of COP: Ukraine, fossil fuels and nuclear fusion

          Placard with Boris Johnson as a clown

          Dictators, media and mobility: erosion of identity, sustenance and safety

          close up on a child's eye

          Racism and misogyny where there should have been safeguarding and security

        AUDIO
        No Result
        View All Result
        • Home
        • News
          • All
          • Brexit
          • Education
          • Environment
          • European News
          • Health
          • Politics
          • Science
          • UK News
          • World News
          man looking anxious

          Never assume: honesty and mental health

          Flood in York in 2022. Climate change brings about more floods and not just heatwaves and wildfires

          The Tories’ climate change policy does not add up

          A sign with the "not equal" symbol is held in a crowd

          Inequality and development: from global to local

          South Tyneside's only black electric taxi

          A sustainable policy for Tyneside taxis

          Ben Houchen by Scott Hunter

          Alleged National Audit Office review of Teesworks

          Child poverty protestor

          Child poverty: enough is enough

          Boys with kite in Kabul

          One year since the fall of Afghanistan

          North East for Europe at an earlier London march

          The North East in London for National Rejoin March

          Tyne Bridge

          Newcastle shortlisted for Eurovision 2023

          Trending Tags

          • Ukraine
        • Culture
          • All
          • Animation
          • Books
          • Illustrations & More
          • Music
          • Performance
          • Poetry
          • Social Media
          • Theatre
          • TV & Radio
          The Rock Showman

          Hardwick Festival is down with the kids

          Witty Look

          All aboard the festival bus for Hardwick this weekend

          Boys with kite in Kabul

          One year since the fall of Afghanistan

          Eurovision sign

          The North East could host Eurovision in 2023

        • Lifestyle
          • All
          • Fashion
          • Food & Drink
          • Health & Fitness
          Master Chef of Great Britain

          Master Chef of Great Britain at Lumley

          Prezzo

          Discovering the new summer menu at Prezzo

          Chef and son

          MasterChef’s’ Posh Street Food chef’s own summer of entertainment

          Scottish highlands

          The beauty of the Scottish Highlands

          Kleo Tabuku

          Top chef to open Newcastle restaurant, Lovage

          Pop up park

          Pop up to the park in Sunderland

          The Blackbird Inn, Ponteland

          The Blackbird Inn flies high with its new summer menu

          gymnast

          Culture of fear in British gymnastics uncovered by the Whyte Review

          Kennedy and Rhind

          Kennedy and Rhind: more time to enjoy a North East favourite

          Trending Tags

          • Business
            • All
            • Economy
            • Rural
            • Technology
            • Trade
            • Voluntary Sector
            Liz Truss

            Tory leadership election: Liz Truss should look at how economies work

            Ben Houchen by Scott Hunter

            Alleged National Audit Office review of Teesworks

            Fishing protest

            Dead crustaceans on North East coast: the next chapter

            Scottish highlands

            The beauty of the Scottish Highlands

            loo

            A room with a loo

            Newcastle quayside

            Newcastle named as one of the best cities for graduates

            Brexit economics

            New research shows the economic effect of Brexit

            Wetherspoons pub

            Wetherspoons sparkle: has it gone flat?

            Leon Fussell rehearsing

            Unsung Heroes at Queen’s Hall, Hexham

            Trending Tags

            • Region
              • All
              • Co. Durham
              • North East
              • Northumberland
              • Teesside
              • Tyneside
              • Wearside
              Fire in Gosforth

              Firefighters praised for life-saving response to Gosforth arson attack

              A sign with the "not equal" symbol is held in a crowd

              Inequality and development: from global to local

              South Tyneside's only black electric taxi

              A sustainable policy for Tyneside taxis

              Ben Houchen by Scott Hunter

              Alleged National Audit Office review of Teesworks

              Child poverty protestor

              Child poverty: enough is enough

              Tyne Bridge

              Newcastle shortlisted for Eurovision 2023

              Wildfire at Witherwack

              “Busier than Bonfire Night” as wildfire rages for over 20 hours

              Fishing protest

              Dead crustaceans on North East coast: the next chapter

              NUFC foodbank

              Howay the lads and lasses: the new football foodbank season ‘22/23

              Trending Tags

              • Opinion
                Titanic coming out of Southampton

                The 110th anniversary of the Titanic’s departure

                There is an England

                There is an England

                Prime Minister Boris Johnson signs the Withdrawal Agreement with the European Union"

                The parody of disinformation: Boris Johnson on Ukraine and Brexit

                Boris Johnson’s comments on Ukraine and Brexit are an insult

                TV Agency staff jumping in the air

                The TV Agency celebrates 10th anniversary with global success

                North East of County Dublin

                North East of England and North East of County Dublin: Compare and contrast

                North Sea oil rig

                Copping out of COP: Ukraine, fossil fuels and nuclear fusion

                Placard with Boris Johnson as a clown

                Dictators, media and mobility: erosion of identity, sustenance and safety

                close up on a child's eye

                Racism and misogyny where there should have been safeguarding and security

              No Result
              View All Result
              North East Bylines
              No Result
              View All Result
              Home News Health

              Hakuna Covid! A country of concern

              Farida Saidi documents the agonising detail of this political and personal saga on her blog Prayer and Science Tanzania, from the perspective of a Tanzanian living abroad.

              Kim SandersonbyKim Sanderson
              09-03-2021 07:50
              in Health, Politics, World News
              Tanzanian flag

              Tanzanian flag Photo from iStock (editor holds licence)

              Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
              ADVERTISEMENT

              While in the UK we are now learning about ‘variants of concern’, I wanted to write about a ‘country of concern’: Tanzania. I’d argue that this is no time for a Disney vision of the majestic African wildlife. People there are in danger from the global pandemic.

              In this week of celebrations, on a day when the Royal Family are marking Commonwealth Day with a televised celebration, the Tanzanian flag featured prominently behind Prince Charles during his address. The Queen’s speech focused on the difficulties all countries have faced due to the coronavirus, and the value of working together. So what’s the problem?

              Hakuna matata?

              In the early stages of the pandemic, I heard from people in Tanzania that coronavirus didn’t seem to be a problem there. Perhaps Europe’s ageing demographic and colder climate were simply acting against us, while countries elsewhere were less affected.

              I was however slightly unnerved by a friend’s comment that local herbal remedies were always available, should coronavirus become a problem in Tanzania. But who was I to judge a country which does not have the luxury of such extensive, free healthcare as we do in the UK?

              Indeed, Tanzanian President John Magufuli claimed in June 2020 that only four people were ill with Covid-19 in a country of nearly 60 million people. More recently, the World Health Organization’s figures for 2 March 2021 show no new deaths from coronavirus in Tanzania over the past seven days and just 21 cumulative deaths overall.

              How has Tanzania achieved this? For comparison, South Africa has a similar population size. The same recent WHO figures show South Africa has seen 1,001 new deaths in the last 7 days, and 49,941 cumulative deaths.

              It would be reasonable to expect a similar number of deaths from coronavirus in Tanzania, but in fact the country’s government stopped reporting statistics for new cases and deaths in May last year.

              Is there a spiritual aspect to the Tanzanian approach? Magufuli has described the virus as “the devil”. In mid-March 2020 he ordered three days of national prayers against it. He claimed in May that prayer had stemmed the tide of coronavirus, only four days after the US Embassy said many hospitals were overwhelmed.

              In 2020, President Magufuli cast doubt on the few positive test results obtained, saying that a papaya and a goat had both obtained positive results when tested for coronavirus. Wearing masks is also viewed with suspicion, as seen when Finance Minister Dr Philip Mpango – rumoured to have been treated for Covid-19 – coughed and spluttered his way through a press conference with no face covering. The official line is ‘Hakuna Covid hapa’, it doesn’t exist here.

              Tanzanians: Minister of Finance Dr Mpango is seriously ill, on a ventilator, due to COVID-19

              Government: Dr Mpango is not very ill. Let's call a press conference and show you the Finance Minister. He does not even need to wear a mask.

              VIDEO – THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED NEXT!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/yrDWFJDLmg

              — Louis Jadwong (@Jadwong) February 24, 2021

              If I have doubts about this approach, do they stem purely from my western perspective on the pandemic? President Magufuli would like you to think so. He told Tanzanians at the end of January 2021:

              “You should stand firm. Vaccinations are dangerous. If the White man was able to come up with vaccinations, he should have found a vaccination for AIDS by now; he would have found a vaccination [for] tuberculosis by now; he would have found a vaccination for malaria by now; he would have found a vaccination for cancer by now”.

              Tanzania currently has no plans to procure any Covid-19 vaccine, and is not on the list for vaccine distribution through COVAX, the international initiative to ensure equitable access to vaccines. The WHO’s Africa director Dr Matshidiso Moeti politely objects: “Vaccines work and I encourage the [Tanzanian] government to prepare for a Covid vaccination campaign”.

              At a recent press conference, Tanzanian Health Minister Dr Dorothy Gwajima instead demonstrated making a smoothie including ginger, garlic, and lemons as well as a home-grown herbal steaming process. She does also advocate washing hands, sanitising and staying healthy. Although the WHO says it welcomes innovations based on traditional remedies, it wants scientific evidence before it will back their use.

              Meanwhile, some opposition politicians in Tanzania have raised concerns. Videos circulating on social media claim to show secret night burials, suggesting the true extent of disease is being deliberately obscured.

              There are certainly people – including Tanzanians – who advocate a different stance to the government. For example, Maria Sarungi Tsehai has blogged about what she terms Covid-19 madness and appealed for Tanzanians to log relevant data through an online form provided by Change Tanzania.

              As for the spiritual aspect, even the Catholic church has spoken out after 60 nuns and 25 priests died in Tanzania in the last two months after having symptoms of coronavirus. Father Charles Kitima, secretary of the assembly of Catholic bishops, said the Covid-19 threat was real. He told a press conference “People are not tested. That’s a big challenge. The church has about 500 health centres across the country but we are not allowed to test and we don’t have the equipment to do so”.

              Farida Saidi documents the agonising detail of this political and personal saga on her blog Prayer and Science Tanzania, from the perspective of a Tanzanian living abroad. In one post, her joy that President Magufuli acknowledged Tanzania had a Covid problem was soon dashed by his subsequent mixed messages and over-reliance on another three days of prayer. She supports both prayer and a scientific approach, explaining that clear Covid-19 symptoms are still being explained away as “pneumonia”.

              In an interview this weekend, Farida told me about Zanzibar’s first Vice President, Maalim Seif Sharif Hamad, who died in February. He was only the second person to have publicly revealed a positive coronavirus test since President Magufuli declared Tanzania free from the virus in April 2020. As further evidence of how controversial the topic is, Tanzanian news outlet The Citizen stated “The cause of death was not made clear, however, on January 31 he was reportedly hospitalized […] in Zanzibar after he allegedly tested positive for Coronavirus.” (bold added for emphasis).

              On a personal level, in December and January Farida started noticing “constant messages” on her community WhatsApp group announcing that people had died: “It’s getting really bad”. Twelve people she knows of in her circle of friends and family have died between January and the first week of March, including her father, uncle and cousin. Adding to the family’s distress, her brothers ended up having to act as undertakers for their own father, when people in the community were “terrified” of the virus and therefore reluctant to adopt their usual roles in the funeral. Farida believes the lack of firm knowledge about coronavirus among the general public in Tanzania is fuelling this fear. There are clear, practical reasons why open, honest statements from the Tanzanian authorities would improve people’s lives – and deaths.

              Farida Saidi explained how she has been writing to her MP and campaigning in the UK to raise awareness of the Tanzanian situation. She was sad that, despite the US Embassy speaking out more than once, the British High Commissioner to Tanzania does not appear to have raised concerns. Farida was further dismayed that, when the UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab visited neighbouring Kenya in January, he did not appear to mention Tanzania. This despite his statement: “We are committed to bringing the best of British expertise to the region, defusing tensions, doing business with integrity and forging strong partnerships on health, climate and other global challenges.”

              Farida also learned of a question tabled in the House of Commons. In response, James Duddridge for the government stated on 25 January 2021:

              “We are concerned that the Government of Tanzania has not released any information on the numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths since 29 April 2020. The British High Commission in Dar es Salaam continues to engage with the Government of Tanzania to encourage greater transparency. We are supporting measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and to protect those living in and visiting Tanzania. This has included using radio stations to put out messages on hand-washing and social distancing, through our sanitation and hygiene campaign managed by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.”

              The UK certainly used to pride itself on its international diplomacy. Does the above approach sound sufficient, given the dire situation which appears to be unfolding?

              The UK also used to pride itself on wielding soft power appropriately, to help bring about change. Will the Royal Family’s warm words encouraging the Commonwealth to pull together have a measurable impact on Tanzania?

              ADVERTISEMENT
              Previous Post

              Ex-miner and grandad celebrates the role of a retained firefighter in Chopwell

              Next Post

              Can Hartlepool keep its “Angels’ Share” of steel fabrication jobs?

              Kim Sanderson

              Kim Sanderson

              Related Posts

              man looking anxious
              Health

              Never assume: honesty and mental health

              byPeter Benson
              August 18, 2022
              Flood in York in 2022. Climate change brings about more floods and not just heatwaves and wildfires
              Environment

              The Tories’ climate change policy does not add up

              byGiuseppe Bignardi
              August 18, 2022
              A sign with the "not equal" symbol is held in a crowd
              North East

              Inequality and development: from global to local

              bySophie Lively
              August 17, 2022
              Ben Houchen by Scott Hunter
              Business

              Alleged National Audit Office review of Teesworks

              byScott Hunter
              August 16, 2022
              Child poverty protestor
              North East

              Child poverty: enough is enough

              byPeter Benson
              August 15, 2022
              Next Post
              Constructing the Angel of the North Photo by Sally Anne Norman

              Can Hartlepool keep its "Angels' Share" of steel fabrication jobs?

              Want to support us?

              Can you help North East Bylines to grow and become more sustainable with a regular donation, no matter how small?  

              DONATE

              Sign up to our newsletter

              If you would like to receive the North East Bylines regular newsletter, straight talking direct to your inbox, click the button below.

              NEWSLETTER

              LATEST

              Liz Truss

              Tory leadership election: Liz Truss should look at how economies work

              August 18, 2022
              Fire in Gosforth

              Firefighters praised for life-saving response to Gosforth arson attack

              August 18, 2022
              man looking anxious

              Never assume: honesty and mental health

              August 18, 2022
              Flood in York in 2022. Climate change brings about more floods and not just heatwaves and wildfires

              The Tories’ climate change policy does not add up

              August 18, 2022
              A sign with the "not equal" symbol is held in a crowd

              Inequality and development: from global to local

              August 17, 2022
              South Tyneside's only black electric taxi

              A sustainable policy for Tyneside taxis

              August 17, 2022

              MOST READ

              Liz Truss

              Tory leadership election: Liz Truss should look at how economies work

              August 18, 2022
              Fire in Gosforth

              Firefighters praised for life-saving response to Gosforth arson attack

              August 18, 2022
              man looking anxious

              Never assume: honesty and mental health

              August 18, 2022
              Flood in York in 2022. Climate change brings about more floods and not just heatwaves and wildfires

              The Tories’ climate change policy does not add up

              August 18, 2022

              BROWSE BY TAGS

              Audio Beach Brexit Business castle leazes climate activism Co. Durham cost of living crisis Culture defra democracy ducklings Economy Education Environment fire and rescue firefighter Food & Drink food poverty Health Health & Care Home Affairs just stop oil Lifestyle Local Lockdown Northumberland Peace Performance Politics pride month refugee rescue Science Social Media Teesside TV & Radio Tynemouth Tyneside Ukraine volunteer Wearside

              We are a not-for-profit citizen journalism publication. Our aim is to publish well-written, fact-based articles and opinion pieces on subjects that are of interest to people in the North East and beyond.

              North East Bylines is a trading brand of Bylines Network Limited, which is a sister organisation to Byline Times.

              Learn more about us

              No Result
              View All Result
              • Contact
              • About
              • Letters
              • Donate
              • Privacy
              • Bylines network
              • Shop

              © 2022 North East Bylines. Citizen Journalism | Local & Internationalist

              No Result
              View All Result
              • Home
              • News
                • Brexit
                • Education
                • Environment
                • UK News
                • Transport
                • World News
              • Politics
              • Opinion
              • Lifestyle
                • Culture
                • Music
                • Poetry
              • Business
                • Economy
                • Technology
                • Trade
              • Donate
              • Newsletter sign up
              • Boriiis Cartoons
              • Authors
              • Audio

              © 2022 North East Bylines. Citizen Journalism | Local & Internationalist

              Welcome Back!

              Login to your account below

              Forgotten Password?

              Retrieve your password

              Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

              Log In