The Wilson International Centre for Scholars, established by the United States Congress, recently paid a high-profile visit to Tanzania. The delegation, led by Wilson Centre’s President and CEO Ambassador Mark Green, called on Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, former President of Tanzania and Settlor and Chair of the JMKF, at the Foundation’s offices in Dar es Salaam. Several key themes were covered during this meeting, emphasizing the obstacles to Tanzania’s socioeconomic advancement. Concerns about mother and child health, youth development, and areas for collaboration between the Wilson Centre and the JMKF were among the other important problems addressed.
The meeting also focused on the effectiveness of Tanzania’s PEPFAR (U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) program, notably on July 14, 2007, while serving as President of Tanzania, Dr. Kikwete launched a state-wide campaign to promote voluntary HIV-AIDS testing. This program, which was instrumental in reducing public anxiety about HIV testing, was a tremendous success, especially after Dr. Kikwete and the First Lady led by example by publicly taking voluntary HIV-AIDS tests. The conversations between the Wilson Centre group and Dr. Kikwete also included sharing experiences and best practices in addressing Tanzania’s broad spectrum of socioeconomic concerns. The Wilson Centre provided vital insights and knowledge in these areas by leveraging its status as a prestigious research organization.
Furthermore, both sides investigated potential opportunities for future collaboration and cooperation between their respective organizations, indicating a willingness to address Tanzania’s socioeconomic concerns through collaborative efforts. Meanwhile, Mrs. Susan Green, the wife of former U.S. Ambassador to Tanzania, Hon. Mark Green, on the same day led a delegation from the Wilson Centre to visit our esteemed partner, the Comprehensive Community-Based Rehabilitation Tanzania (CCBRT) hospital in Msasani, Dar es Salaam. Mrs. Green’s delegation was joined by former First Lady Hon. Salma Kikwete (M.P.), Ms. Vanessa Anyoti, and Dr. Catherine Sanga, CEO and Programme Manager of the Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete Foundation (JMKF), respectively, for this historic visit. The primary goal of this visit was to commemorate a major step forward in improving quality healthcare and promoting collaborative efforts.
During this event, the CCBRT Hospital got the opportunity to highlight its remarkable handicap and rehabilitative care programs. In addition, the CCBRT emphasized its outstanding efforts and accomplishments in the vital sector of Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health. This visit demonstrates JMKF’s commitment to expanding healthcare programs and collaborations.