By Our Correspondent
The Ministry of Health says national environmental health and sanitation competitions are helping to bring significant improvements in cleanliness and public health services across the country.
Senior Environmental Health Officer Nashir Mahiki said the initiative has become a catalyst for positive change in environmental health interventions since its introduction.
Mahiki made the remarks on April 4, 2026 during an inspection exercise for the 2026 environmental health and sanitation competition in Dar es Salaam, which involved the city’s five municipal councils of Ubungo, Ilala, Kigamboni, Kinondoni and Temeke.
He said the competition has led to notable achievements, including an increase in modern landfill sites from none in 1988 to eight in 2026. The facilities are located in Tanga City and the municipalities of Mtwara and Moshi.
According to him, access to improved sanitation has also expanded significantly, with households using improved toilets rising from 19.5 percent to 78 percent by 2026.
He added that urban environments have also improved through the establishment of landscaped public spaces and the upgrading of slaughterhouses to meet current standards.
Mahiki noted that the competition for the 2025/26 financial year has been enhanced to strengthen accountability in the provision and improvement of environmental health and sanitation services among participating institutions.
He said the initiative aims to encourage leaders, stakeholders and communities to take an active role in improving environmental health conditions and ensuring sustainable urban cleanliness.
During the verification exercise, the team assessed several areas including solid waste management, wastewater management, cleanliness of storm water drains, sanitation in markets, urban beautification, enforcement of the Public Health Act and local government by-laws, hygiene standards in lodges and hotels, as well as the management of waste disposal sites.
