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Amani DE, Ndumwa HP, Ngowi JE, Njiro BJ, Munishi C, Mboya EA, Mloka D, Kikula AI, Balandya E, Ruggajo P, Kessy AT, Kitambala E, Kapologwe N, Kengia JT, Kiologwe J, Ubuguyu O, Salum B, Kamuhabwa A, Ramaiya K, Sunguya BF. National Non-Communicable Diseases Conferences- A Platform to Inform Policies and Practices in Tanzania. Ann Glob Health 2024; 90:18. [PMID: 38463453 PMCID: PMC10921961 DOI: 10.5334/aogh.4112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) arise from diverse risk factors with differences in the contexts and variabilities in regions and countries. Addressing such a complex challenge requires local evidence. Tanzania has been convening stakeholders every year to disseminate and discuss scientific evidence, policies, and implementation gaps, to inform policy makers in NCDs responses. This paper documents these dissemination efforts and how they have influenced NCDs response and landscape in Tanzania and the region. Methods Desk review was conducted through available MOH and conference organizers' documents. It had both quantitative and qualitative data. The review included reports of the four NCDs conferences, conference organization, and conduct processes. In addition, themes of the conferences, submitted abstracts, and presentations were reviewed. Narrative synthesis was conducted to address the objectives. Recommendations emanated from the conference and policy uptake were reviewed and discussed to determine the impact of the dissemination. Findings Since 2019, four theme-specific conferences were organized. This report includes evidence from four conferences. The conferences convened researchers and scientists from research and training institutions, implementers, government agencies, and legislators in Tanzania and other countries within and outside Africa. Four hundred and thirty-five abstracts were presented covering 14 sub-themes on health system improvements, financing, governance, prevention intervention, and the role of innovation and technology. The conferences have had a positive effect on governments' response to NCDs, including health care financing, NCDs research agenda, and universal health coverage. Conclusion The National NCDs conferences have provided suitable platforms where stakeholders can share, discuss, and recommend vital strategies for addressing the burden of NCDs through informing policies and practices. Ensuring the engagement of the right stakeholders, as well as the uptake and utilization of the recommendations from these platforms, remains crucial for addressing the observed epidemiological transition in Tanzania and other countries with similar contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davis E. Amani
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 9 United Nations Road, Upanga West P O Box 65001, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
| | - Harrieth P. Ndumwa
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 9 United Nations Road, Upanga West P O Box 65001, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
| | - Jackline E. Ngowi
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 9 United Nations Road, Upanga West P O Box 65001, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
| | - Belinda J. Njiro
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 9 United Nations Road, Upanga West P O Box 65001, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
| | - Castory Munishi
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 9 United Nations Road, Upanga West P O Box 65001, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
| | - Erick A. Mboya
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 9 United Nations Road, Upanga West P O Box 65001, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
| | - Doreen Mloka
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 9 United Nations Road, Upanga West P O Box 65001, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
| | - Amani I. Kikula
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 9 United Nations Road, Upanga West P O Box 65001, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
| | - Emmanuel Balandya
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 9 United Nations Road, Upanga West P O Box 65001, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
| | - Paschal Ruggajo
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 9 United Nations Road, Upanga West P O Box 65001, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
- Ministry of Health, P O Box 743 Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - Anna T. Kessy
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 9 United Nations Road, Upanga West P O Box 65001, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
| | - Emilia Kitambala
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 9 United Nations Road, Upanga West P O Box 65001, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
| | - Ntuli Kapologwe
- President’s Office Regional Administration and Local Government, P O Box 1923 Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - James T. Kengia
- President’s Office Regional Administration and Local Government, P O Box 1923 Dodoma, Tanzania
| | | | | | - Bakari Salum
- President’s Office Regional Administration and Local Government, P O Box 1923 Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - Appolinary Kamuhabwa
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 9 United Nations Road, Upanga West P O Box 65001, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
| | - Kaushik Ramaiya
- Tanzania Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance, P O Box 65201 Dar es salaam, Tanzania
- Tanzania Diabetes Association, P O Box 65201 Dar es salaam, Tanzania
- Shree Hindu Mandal Hospital, P O Box 581 Dar es salaam, Tanzania
| | - Bruno F. Sunguya
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, 9 United Nations Road, Upanga West P O Box 65001, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
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