Women who did us proud in 2013

 

Women of the year:PHOTOs I FILE 

By Esther Kibakaya,The citizen

In Summary

The investigations helped us to determine the specialists who would be needed at the surgery,” Bokhari was quoted as saying.

As we wind up the year, we reflect on the events and milestones of women in Tanzania that really made us proud to be associated with them. To some women, 2013 was a year of blessings as they created a positive image of themselves, thanks to their hard work and initiatives.

Meanwhile, a few other women were involved in acts that brought disgrace and lowered their dignity. They fall in the list of shame.

Here are a few women who were recognised because of their outstanding deeds.

Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax New Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development Community (SADC)

She was appointed by the Heads of State and Government of SADC as the new Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), a position that no other Tanzanian woman has ever held, during the Summit held in Lilongwe, Malawi in August this year.

A firm believer in quality and results and the one who doesn’t hesitate when it comes to making decisions, her appointment is said to have brought in a sense of pride, not only to Tanzanians, but to all East Africans.

Dr Tax assumed the new role as the Executive Secretary of SADC after a long and outstanding career in various capacities in the field of research, trade, finance and regional integration. She joined SADC after successfully leading Tanzania in the East African Community integration.

Dr Zaitun Bokhari

General Surgeon at MNH

Dr Zaitun is among seven specialists who successfully separated Pili Hija’s conjoined twins from Ugunja Ukuu in Zanzibar. The operation which took four hours was the second of that kind to be done at Muhimbili National Hospital MNH). The first was in 1994 by Dr Joseph Shija.

The operation has put Dr Zaitun in the limelight; increasing her credibility as she puts her professional expertise to stand the test of time. Being able to operate on the incomplete twin (parasite) which had a leg, a heel but no foot and undeveloped eyes and mouth, opened a new chapter to her career.

“We went through different health investigations using CT-Scan to determine which parts of the body were also conjoined. The investigations helped us to determine the specialists who would be needed at the surgery,” Bokhari was quoted as saying.