|
Canada donates to Tanzanians health
2006-07-12 09:45:15
By Angel Navuri
The Canadian government on Monday donated 7 million Canadian dollars (about 8 bn/-) to the Zonal Roll-out of Essential Health Interventions, an initiative aimed to upgrade and strengthen health training centers across Tanzania.
Speaking at the joint announcement with Tanzania’s Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Professor David Mwakyusa, the Canadian High Commissioner, Andrew McAlister said the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) was proud to support Tanzania’s efforts in strengthening her health system particularly at the district level.
”I am pleased to be able to show Canada’s commitment to a programme which will increase the capacity of the health workforce across the country,” McAlister said.
He said the initiative would build on the successes of the Tanzanian Essential Health Interventions Project (TEHIP), of which CIDA, through Canada’s International Development Research Centre, is the principle donor.
McAlister said Canada’s contribution would cover over the 2006-2008 period through the health basket.
He said the first contribution of 3 million Canadian dollars has already been signed by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Gray Mgonja, and 2 million Canadian dollars will be disbursed in the fiscal years 2006/2007 and 2007/2008.
McAlister said Canada, through CIDA has been a long time Tanzania’s development partner, having invested more that one billion Canadian dollars over 40 years in various projects ranging from transportation, education, and agriculture,to safe water supply.
He said Canada’s current bilateral development programme in Tanzania focuses on primary education, health, HIV/Aids control, private sector development and good governance.
McAlister said CIDA also provides humanitarian assistance for Burundian refugees, food aid for drought victims and a range of initiatives involving food security.
|
