Health a priority - Minister

Deputy Minister for Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children Dr Hamisi Kigwangalla made the statement to the gathering attending the 40th graduation ceremony of the Institute of Social Work

A total of 1,167 graduates were conferred certificates, diplomas and degrees in different categories. “The Fifth Phase government has made it clear on its vision to become the industrial nation by 2025.

We all know that to attain the set goal, we need to have health people. Therefore, the government has been investing a lot of money to make sure the health of the citizens is improved and protected.

As for social work graduates, you have a role to play in making sure the country achieves the targeted goal. You are needed to help changing the lifestyle of most of youths and most important cultures that pose risk on health of Tanzanians,” he said.

Dr Kigwangala insisted that social workers are needed in the grassroots level to help families and children living in vulnerable environment, adding graduates must work in villages instead of preferring working in cities, saying in villages is where many problems are and they are not addressed due to the shortage of social workers there.

He also applauded the management efforts to introduce the new course of ‘Community Work with Children and Youth’, saying the output will be helpful in making prompt resolutions on various challenges and problems facing children and youths in the community.

Responding to the Institute’s Rector, who asked the ministry to allow them using some of ministry’s building to expand their services, the deputy minister, assured him that he will take their request on board for further discussions. Earlier, ISW Rector, Dr Abu Mvungi, mentioned outdated infrastructure and shortage of lecture rooms hindering the institute’s enrollment.