Concert Treks Across Tanzania

The Fiesta Concert Series continues its trek across Tanzania, bringing along the Zinduka! campaign and its “malaria is unacceptable” message to every tour stop.  

In addition to speaking about malaria protection, testing and treatment during their performances, Zinduka! Goodwill Ambassadors are also visiting communities and local health centers to speak to patients and medical staff about the disease.

Last week, the Fiesta Concert Series held a performance in Tanga, a region in northwest Tanzania, where they visited Bombo Hospital. The hospital’s medical director, Dr. Fred Mtafikikoro, explained that many people in the community fail to take the disease seriously and don’t sleep under a mosquito net every night, as it’s recommended in high-endemic regions. As a result, there are a high number of malaria cases and deaths in Tanga. And while the hospital tries to accommodate and treat malaria patients, the high number of cases often leads to a shortage of medical supplies and prevention tools like mosquito nets.

During the visit, the hospital’s children’s ward was experiencing a mosquito net shortage. Thanks to Zinduka! partner A to Z Textile Mills, a mosquito net manufacturer in Tanzania, the Zinduka! Goodwill Ambassadors and Fiesta Concert crew members were able to provide the hospital with donated mosquito nets, which will help protect the hospital’s youngest and most vulnerable patients at night.

Are there any other activities that can help the Zinduka! campaign educate Tanzania about malaria protection? How else can celebrities be involved in the malaria fight?