The ongoing Occupational Safety and Health Week (OSHA Week) celebrations in Njombe Region have drawn strong public interest, bringing together more than 150 companies and attracting thousands of residents to the event.
The exhibition, organized by the Occupational Safety and Health Authority (OSHA), began on April 24, 2026, at Mjimwema Primary School grounds, and has since turned into one of the region’s major public events, offering a wide range of services related to workplace safety, health screening, and community well-being.
OSHA Chief Executive Officer Khadija Mwenda said the high turnout is a result of improved service delivery during this year’s campaign, which has gone beyond awareness creation to include direct medical services for participants.
She said workers and members of the public are receiving free health screening, treatment services, counselling, and mental health support during the week-long exercise.
“This year we have taken a different approach. After people are screened, those who need treatment are immediately assisted, which was not the case in previous years,” said Mwenda.
She added that the campaign has brought together medical experts from various institutions, including Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute (MOI), Mirembe Mental Health Hospital, OSHA specialists, and representatives from trade unions, all working together to provide comprehensive services to the public.
Mwenda said OSHA is targeting to reach more than 10,000 people during this year’s celebrations, compared to over 3,000 people who benefited during last year’s event held in Singida Region.
She also expressed appreciation to development partners and private sector institutions supporting the initiative, including CRDB Bank, NMB Bank, Geita Gold Mining Company, Barrick North Mara, and other stakeholders who have contributed to the success of the event.
Njombe Regional Commissioner Antony Mtaka said the exhibition has created significant economic opportunities for the region, especially in the hospitality and service sectors, due to the high number of visitors attending the event.
He said the region has experienced an unusually high demand for accommodation, forcing some visitors to stay in nearby Makambako after hotels and guest houses in Njombe reached full capacity.
“Njombe has a capacity of about 1,800 beds for guests, but during this event we have received over 5,000 visitors, which shows the growing importance of such national exhibitions,” said Mtaka.
He added that some residents have even rented out their homes to visitors, a situation he described as a new and positive development for the region’s economy.
Mtaka said the regional administration is working to strengthen Njombe’s position as a commercial and investment hub, noting that the region has planned several major events this year aimed at attracting more visitors and increasing income opportunities for residents through tourism, accommodation, transport, and small businesses.
He said such events not only raise awareness on safety and health at the workplace but also directly contribute to local economic growth by creating new opportunities for citizens.
The OSHA Week celebrations in Njombe continue to highlight the importance of occupational safety while demonstrating how public events can stimulate local business activity and improve community livelihoods.
