The Lead Pathologist and Founder of the Lancet Group of Labs East Africa Dr Ahmed Khalebi has opined that Tanzania’s President J P Magufuli is not as reckless as many would wish to portray.
“Tanzania hakuna cha lockdown, wala Baba yake lockdown, wala Ndugu yake lockdown, tunaendelea kuchapa kazi wakimaliza kujilock huko watakuja tutawasaidia chakula, na tusiwabague, kila Mtu ana njia zake za kutatua tatizo.” Magufuli is quoted from a church address he gave in Tanzania on Sunday.
President Magufuli’s approach towards curbing the spread of coronavirus has put him on the receiving front. The bloc has his borders on a guillotine for taking unpopular approach in dealing with the virus.
As the world locked down and imposed curfews, Magufuli only closed schools but allowed normal mingling.
Last week, the US embassy in Tanzania warned that there is a risk of “exponential growth” of Covid-19 cases in the country, at a time when the government is not releasing data on new cases.
It added that hospitals in the main city, Dar es Salaam, were “overwhelmed” and that the chance of contracting the virus was “extremely high”.
The embassy did not, however, give any evidence to back up its claims.
Tanzania’s president has accused WHO officials of exaggerating the crisis.
Last week, President Magufuli revealed that he secretly had animals and fruits samples tested at the national health laboratory in charge of coronavirus and that a papaya (paw-paw), a quail bird, and a goat had returned positive results.
Magufuli is among several African leaders who have received orders for a herbal drink that the President of Madagascar says is a cure for Covid-19.
Bigger question is he as reckless as he’s widely perceived?
“A careful observation of how President JP Magufuli is handling the COVID19 outbreak in Tanzania reveals that he is not reckless as many would wish to portray.” Dr.Ahmed Khalebi of Lancet Group posted on Twitter.
2/5 He reminds the people to remain cautious & continue practicing measures to prevent #COVID19 spread (handwashig, masks, etc being used in Tanzania)
🗣”Nataka niendelee kuwasisitiza tuendelee kuchukua tahadhari…na tahadhari hizi ambazo tumekuwa tukisichukuwa tuendelee nazo” https://t.co/c8Tfj9Z5GJ
— 𝗗𝗿 𝗔𝗵𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝗞𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗶, 𝕆𝔾𝕎 (@DrAhmedKalebi) May 18, 2020
4/5 He says his child had #COVID19 meaning the child was actually tested for COVID-19 to be confirmed as positive, therefore he’s endorsing testing using tests to detect & guide management of which there is no proven cure so patients like his child do recover even on home remedy https://t.co/c8Tfj9Z5GJ
— 𝗗𝗿 𝗔𝗵𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝗞𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗶, 𝕆𝔾𝕎 (@DrAhmedKalebi) May 18, 2020
So all in all, it isn’t like President Magufuli has directed Tanzanians to be careless & reckless – far from it
He knows the considerations to be made even if some may misread his more relaxed approach
In fact, the video shows physical distancing being observed in that church https://t.co/c8Tfj9Z5GJ
— 𝗗𝗿 𝗔𝗵𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝗞𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗶, 𝕆𝔾𝕎 (@DrAhmedKalebi) May 18, 2020
Is Kenya doing anything that Tanzania is not doing other than staying at home and observing the curfew?
How many people have we tested, isolated now that we’re almost 50 days into the lockdown?
Earlier today, Principal Secretary, Health Susan Mochache said the numbers we are seeing are exactly what a recent modelling projected. The Health ministry says that we will now start to see numbers going up to the 50’s per day.
Last week, Kenya closed its borders with Somalia and Tanzania. The President cited increased cross-border infections of the coronavirus.
“Therefore, in accordance with the advice by the National Emergency Response Committee on Coronavirus, and the National Security Council, I am directing that there shall be cessation of movement of persons and any passenger ferrying automobiles and vehicles into and out of the territory of the Republic of Kenya through the Kenya-Somalia international border except for cargo vehicles, with effect from midnight today, Saturday 16th, May 2020.”
Magufuli is telling his people to practice safety, not to stigmatize, he’s testing despite contrary reports.
Magufuli has successfully conquered the fear of the virus from his Citizens without downplaying the wrath it comes with.
Calling Magufuli uninformed and reckless is based on predetermined thoughts.
