By WAF, Dodoma: The Minister of Health, Mr. Mohamed Mchengerwa has called on the community to abandon the misconception of hiding leprosy patients and come forward when they notice signs of the disease in order to facilitate the Government’s efforts to eradicate the disease in the country.
Minister Mchengerwa said this, on January 25, 2025, when he spoke to journalists while issuing a statement on the celebration of World Leprosy Day at the Ministry’s offices in Dodoma.
Minister Mchengerwa has called on District and Local Chief Medical Officers to ensure that all households in areas where new leprosy patients are detected are monitored and all household members are examined and those suffering from the disease are identified and treated.
“I take this opportunity to urge the Regional Medical Officers to ensure that all households in areas where new Leprosy patients are detected are monitored and all household members are screened and all those suffering from Leprosy are identified and treated. If we do this in every Region and Council and everywhere, we can eradicate this disease even before 2030”, said Mr. Mchengerwa.
Minister Mchengerwa has urged the Regions and Councils to ensure that all patients who are detected are identified by their residence, Kijjji, and Ward, within the relevant District or outside the Region, while saying that if the patient appears outside the Region, it should be ensured that his information is sent to his place of origin in order to monitor and test for Leprosy and provide preventive treatment to the relevant households.
Mr. Mchengerwa said that since 2006, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared Tanzania to have already reached the international standard of eliminating Leprosy of less than one patient per 10,000 people, where the number of new patients diagnosed in the country continues to decrease from 2,297 patients in 2015 to 1442 patients in 2025, equivalent to a 37% reduction.
Minister Mchengerwa thanked service providers in health care facilities in the country for their efforts to improve the health of the people and ensure that the spread of Leprosy slows down in the country. While commending journalists for continuing to educate the community about good health and how to deal with various diseases including Leprosy.
“Regions and councils must ensure that every patient who is diagnosed is identified and their information is processed to break the chain of transmission. I would like to thank service providers for your efforts to treat the people and journalists who are disseminating education to the people about this disease,” said Hon. Mchengerwa
Kidney stone removal surgery camp officially closed
Muhimbili National Hospital – Mloganzila has concluded a special kidney stone removal surgery camp using modern ‘laser’ technology where since the service was established in September 2025, 18 patients have benefited from the treatment.
The camp, which was run for three days from January 21 – 23,2026, aims to increase access to specialist and sub-specialist services so that citizens can benefit from the huge investment made by the Government in the health sector and reduce patient referrals to be treated abroad.
MNH – Mloganzila Urologist, Dr. Hamis Isaka said kidney stone removal surgery using modern laser technology has been performed by local experts and the hospital is determined to ensure that the service is sustainable.
According to Dr. Isaka said the use of laser technology has brought about a major revolution in kidney stone removal treatment as this modern surgery helps the patient experience less pain, no scarring or incisions, while the patient stays in the ward for a short time of one to two days.
“This modern surgery uses a special laser device that breaks the stones into small pieces that are easily removed without opening the abdomen, the patient is allowed to return home within a short time,” explained Dr. Isaka
He said at the Urology clinics of MNH-Mloganzila, approximately 20 new patients are diagnosed with kidney stones every month and women are the ones who are most likely to have this challenge.
Therefore, he has advised citizens who experience symptoms such as severe back or side pain, pain during urination, bloody urine, frequent urination or fever to arrive at the hospital early to be examined and receive treatment.
One of the beneficiaries of this treatment, has thanked the Sixth Phase Government for continuing to improve health services in the country and bringing modern technologies that help citizens get better treatment at affordable prices.
