A study conducted in India and Tanzania, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health with local collaborators, has found that a single 500mg calcium pill daily is as effective as the standard three-pill regimen in preventing preeclampsia and preterm birth among pregnant women. The World Health Organization currently recommends 1500 to 2000 milligrams daily in three doses. The study's findings, which could simplify and reduce the cost of supplementation, were presented at the 5th ARISE Network Annual Scientific Symposium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Further research is needed to confirm these results in different populations and assess long-term effects.

Tanzanian scientists, led by Sang'udi Sang'udi, are developing Saratani AI, an AI tool for early cancer detection, amidst a significant challenge of local data scarcity. This issue, common across Africa, affects the tool's accuracy due to reliance on datasets from the Global North, which may not reflect local disease patterns. Experts like Deogratius Mzurikwao warn of the risks of bias and the legal implications of using AI trained on non-local data. Efforts are underway to collaborate with institutions for more representative data, and projects like Jabhera Matogoro's AI Mental Health Project in Dodoma aim to integrate locally relevant data. However, the lack of a comprehensive AI policy in Tanzania raises concerns about data protection and regulatory oversight. Advocates like Maxence Melo stress the need for dedicated regulations to ensure ethical AI development, while government officials like Deputy Minister Andrea Kundo highlight the broader vision for emerging technologies. The situation underscores the urgent need for comprehensive AI governance.

Matshidiso Moeti, WHO regional director for Africa, suggests that strategies used to ramp up vaccine production during the COVID-19 pandemic could aid in addressing Africa's cholera outbreak. With over 130,000 cases and 3,000 deaths since 2022, Malawi faces its worst epidemic in decades. Moeti emphasizes the need for investment in water and hygiene infrastructure and community engagement to prevent cholera. Despite vaccine shortages, WHO has disbursed $5.4 million and secured 3.4 million doses of oral cholera vaccine for campaigns in Kenya, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Mozambique.

Tanzania has increased disease surveillance and prevention measures following its first outbreak of Marburg Virus Disease (MVD), a highly infectious and potentially fatal haemorrhagic fever. The outbreak was confirmed by the Ministry of Health on March 21, with eight cases reported as of March 22. A total of 205 people have been quarantined in the outbreak's epicenter, Bukoba. Health advocacy campaigns have been scaled up, and international travel guidance has been updated to prevent cross-border transmission. The WHO and Africa CDC are involved in the response, with no evidence of a link to a separate outbreak in Equatorial Guinea. Experts stress the importance of investing in primary health systems and ensuring health workers have access to personal protective equipment.

A study utilizing machine learning to predict the age of mosquitoes could enhance malaria research and surveillance programs by offering a more efficient and accurate alternative to current, labor-intensive methods. The research, conducted at the Ifakara Health Institute in Tanzania and the University of Glasgow, focused on Anopheles arabiensis mosquitoes and achieved a 98% accuracy rate in age prediction. This advancement could lead to more targeted malaria interventions, as older mosquitoes and those with a preference for feeding on humans are more likely to transmit the disease. The findings underscore the potential of artificial intelligence in improving malaria control efforts and reducing the disease's prevalence in Africa.

The article discusses the underutilization of Tanzania's capacity to detect new SARS-CoV-2 variants due to bureaucratic hurdles. Despite having the necessary technology and trained scientists, most of the country's facilities and expertise remain unused. The situation is critical as Tanzania and neighboring countries experience a surge in COVID-19 cases linked to new variants. A report from May 2020 by East African molecular biologists, including Dr. Daniel Maeda, highlights the disregard for existing skills and technologies in the pandemic response. Molecular biologist Mohamed Zahir Alimohamed emphasizes the importance of genomic sequencing for vaccine selection and hospital preparedness. President Samia Suluhu Hassan's technical committee has recommended strengthening national capacity to identify viral strains. The article also touches on the foreign-led sequencing initiatives in Tanzania and the need for better collaboration between the government and local scientists.

The article discusses how secretive governments worldwide are undermining trust in health systems by covering up COVID-19 data and bypassing public procurement rules. Transparency International's Jonathan Cushing describes the situation as a dual pandemic of COVID-19 and corruption. The article highlights cases from Brazil, the Philippines, Tanzania, Zambia, India, and Mexico, where data has been manipulated, and contracts for medical goods and services have been awarded clandestinely. It also covers the repercussions of such actions, including fueling vaccine skepticism, misallocation of resources, and the potential catastrophic impact on health and governance systems in the global South. The article further explores the consequences of attacks on journalists and transparency advocates who challenge official narratives, as well as the risks associated with private vaccine sales and the importance of open data and science for public trust and accountability.

The article discusses the challenges faced in scaling up COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing to achieve global herd immunity. Industry experts highlight the need for 10 billion doses by March 2022, as per a World Bank report. However, trade barriers, export restrictions, and supply chain bottlenecks, particularly due to the US Defense Production Act, are impeding progress. The Biotechnology Innovation Organization and the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations emphasize the urgency of resolving these issues. The Developing Countries Vaccine Manufacturers Network points out the critical shortage of input materials and calls for increased investment, especially in developing countries. The US government has pledged to provide raw materials for vaccine production in India amidst a severe outbreak. The WHO is working on establishing technology transfer hubs to scale up vaccine manufacturing in low- and middle-income countries, with a focus on mRNA-vaccine technology. The article also touches on the complexities of vaccine manufacturing and the need for careful technology transfer to capable manufacturers.

In Tanzania, a young boy named Abdul Mfaume faced a life-threatening situation due to severe malnutrition and acute kidney failure. At Muhimbili National Hospital, Dr. Francis Fredrick and his team, including Dr. Gudila Valentine, a postgraduate student, performed an improvised peritoneal dialysis procedure, which was not commonly used in the country due to resource limitations. Despite the lack of proper equipment and the need to improvise with materials at hand, the medical team successfully treated Abdul, who has since recovered. The case was documented in the Journal of Medical Case Reports, highlighting the challenges and innovative solutions in resource-limited healthcare settings. Abdul's story underscores the dedication of healthcare workers in Tanzania and the dire circumstances of malnourished children in the region.

The article discusses a health initiative in Dodoma and Singida regions of Tanzania, where people living with HIV exchange 'friendship cards' to support each other in adhering to their medication schedules. The initiative, run by the Elizabeth Glaser Paediatric AIDS Foundation under the USAID Boresha Afya project, has helped reduce missed clinic appointments and is contributing to the fight against HIV drug resistance. The cards contain contact information and encourage individuals to remind each other of clinic visits. Despite challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic slowing down the uptake, the program has seen success, with over 11,000 people reached and a significant drop in missed appointments at Makole Health Centre.