The Vice President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr. Philip Mpango, represented President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan at the Emergency Virtual Summit of African Heads of State and Government on the cholera situation across the continent.
The summit, convened by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), brought together Heads of State and Government, senior leaders from the health, water, and finance sectors, as well as representatives from international organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
In his remarks, Vice President Mpango emphasized the urgent need for Africa to strengthen its response to cholera through increased investment in the local production of vaccines and health-related products.
He underscored the importance of building robust disease surveillance systems capable of detecting early warning signs to help prevent large-scale outbreaks.
He also called for the enhancement of health systems and the promotion of peace and stability in conflict-affected regions, recognizing that sustainable health interventions require secure and stable environments.
The Vice President highlighted the importance of a multisectoral approach in tackling cholera and other communicable diseases.
He called for coordinated efforts that ensure access to clean and safe water, adequate sanitation, effective waste management, and inclusive public education on hygiene practices such as boiling drinking water and frequent handwashing.
Dr. Mpango urged the international community and the United Nations to work closely with the African Union in prioritizing the elimination of cholera, in line with WHO’s global target to reduce cholera deaths by 90% by the year 2030.
Despite being both preventable and treatable, cholera continues to claim lives in Africa. As of May 2025, it is estimated that over 2,600 people have died due to the disease across the continent.
He noted that Tanzania has taken several proactive steps to combat cholera, including mobilizing key sectors in a unified national response and leveraging domestic resources to address the challenge.
Additional efforts include promoting community involvement through public health campaigns utilizing mass media, traditional, religious, and local leaders, as well as integrating hygiene education into school programs.
Participating Heads of State and Government reiterated the importance of collective action in addressing cholera.
They called for the sharing of knowledge, data, and best practices to accelerate efforts toward the prevention and eventual eradication of the disease in Africa.
