A total of 2,662 young people have been reached with health education through the Jiongeze 360 Bonanza in Tunduru District, Ruvuma Region, in an initiative aimed at addressing challenges including teenage pregnancy, HIV infections and gender-based violence.
Of those reached, 804 youths received reproductive health services, HIV testing and nutrition services, highlighting the importance of taking health information and services closer to young people.
Tunduru District Administrative Officer Milongo Sanga said on August 28, 2026, that the campaign was designed to equip young people with accurate information and practical knowledge to make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing.
The campaign covered reproductive health, HIV prevention, teenage pregnancy, gender-based violence, violence against children, nutrition, mental health, cervical cancer and life skills.
Mr Sanga said investment in youth health was essential to the country's future, noting that young people make up a significant proportion of Tanzania's workforce.
“Investing in the health and development of young people is investing in the future of the country because they constitute a significant part of our workforce,” he said.
He said the Government had continued to strengthen youth-friendly reproductive health services across the country.
According to him, 2,161 health facilities nationwide currently provide youth-friendly reproductive health services, including 122 facilities in Ruvuma Region and five in Tunduru District.
However, Mr Sanga said teenage pregnancy remained a major concern in Ruvuma despite the progress recorded nationally.
He said the national teenage pregnancy rate declined from 27 per cent in 2016 to 22 per cent in 2022, while Ruvuma recorded an increase from 32 per cent to 37 per cent during the same period.
The trend, he said, underscored the need for sustained efforts to ensure young people have access to reliable reproductive health information and services.
“This situation demonstrates the importance of continuing to provide young people with accurate information on reproductive health, family planning, HIV prevention, gender-based violence, proper nutrition and life skills, while also making them aware of where they can access these services,” Mr Sanga said.
He urged young people and members of the community to continue using health facilities and available service providers in their areas rather than relying solely on one-off campaigns.
“This will help ensure that the education and services provided through the bonanza continue to benefit young people beyond the event,” he said.
An official from the Ministry of Health's Reproductive, Maternal and Child Health Department, Michael Mbele, said the ministry was implementing various interventions to address teenage pregnancy and HIV infections among young people.
He said Jiongeze 360 was among the initiatives being used to reach young people with accurate health information and services.
The campaign also provided information and services related to nutrition, cervical cancer and HIV testing, alongside reproductive health education.
The initiative is part of the Government's broader agenda of investing in the health and development of young people and implementing policies and programmes aimed at improving their wellbeing.
Stakeholders say sustained access to accurate health information, youth-friendly services and life-skills education will remain important in helping young people make informed decisions and participate effectively in Tanzania's social and economic development.