The Minister of Health, Hon. Jenista Mhagama, has praised the government's progress in extending electricity to rural areas, noting that this is encouraging the use of clean cooking energy in households.
The availability of electricity is enabling rural communities to switch to energy-efficient electric stoves, reducing reliance on traditional fuels like firewood and charcoal.
Speaking in Dodoma, Minister Mhagama encouraged citizens to embrace modern cooking methods that use clean energy.
She emphasized that this shift not only protects the environment but also enhances the quality of life for families.
Video: How rural electrification spurs shift to clean cooking energy
"With electricity now available in many villages, women across Tanzania have the opportunity to cook using clean energy, instead of relying on firewood and charcoal, which are harmful to both health and the environment," she said.
The Minister highlighted the economic and social benefits of adopting clean cooking energy, pointing out that it contributes to better family health.
"When families are healthier, they spend less on medical care, allowing them to focus their resources on other areas of family development," she added.
Hon. Mhagama also warned of the negative environmental effects caused by continued deforestation for firewood and charcoal production, including the risk of floods and erratic rainfall.
She urged communities to abandon the use of unsustainable energy sources and embrace clean, modern alternatives for cooking.