The government has reaffirmed its commitment to continuously improving healthcare and well-being services for children with hydrocephalus and spina bifida, while urging society to move away from misconceptions, discrimination, and stigma against these children.
This statement was made during the commemoration of the Day for Persons with Hydrocephalus and Spina Bifida, organized by the Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Tanzania (ASBAHT) and held at the Muhimbili National Hospital-Mloganzila.
Speaking on behalf of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Mwinyi Kondo Juma Amir—Assistant Director in the Department of Medical Services—urged healthcare professionals to continue educating the public about the prevention, diagnosis, and challenges related to the development of a child’s nervous system, including conditions such as spina bifida.
He noted that providing accurate information is essential for increasing public awareness, dispelling misconceptions, and ensuring that children facing these challenges receive appropriate services in a timely manner.
He called upon the community to abandon false beliefs that attribute these conditions to witchcraft or curses. Instead, he urged people to show these children love, care, and acceptance, and to ensure they receive the necessary support and attention to grow and participate fully in social life.
Dr. Mwinyi Kondo has emphasized that disability should not be a reason for discrimination or the denial of opportunities, urging equal access to opportunities in the health, education, and employment sectors for people with disabilities.
