VP Mpango to grace ECSA-HC golden jubilee

 Yasinta Amos in Arusha

VICE-PRESIDENT Dr Philip Mpango

ARUSHA: VICE-PRESIDENT, Dr Philip Mpango is expected to grace the Ministerial Conference that is part of the ongoing events in celebration of the Golden Jubilee of the

East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC) in Arusha.

The Conference brings together ministers of health, permanent/principal secretaries, senior officials from ministries of health, experts, researchers, heads of health training insti￾tutions and collaborating part￾ners from within the region and beyond.

The Executive Director of the East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA), Professor Yoswa Gambisya, said that throughout the week they will be showcas￾ing achievements of the ECSA operations in the last 50 years.

Dr Mpango will be address￾ing the climax of the events next Wednesday.

The Ministerial Conference for the East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community’s 50th Anniversary, is ongoing in the city.

“The mortality rate of organ￾isations in the East, Central and Southern African region is quite high; some hardly survive beyond two years, therefore the fact that ECSA has managed to make it through the five decades is a great achievement,” pointed out Prof Gambisya.

The ECSA director was speaking during a special health walk organised by the East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community that saw hundreds of participants trek five kilometres.

“As a health-oriented organ￾isation we encourage regular exercise among our staff and the residents of Arusha for the physical and mental wellbeing,” said Prof Gambisya.

The ECSA executive director used the sporting occasion to express appreciation to the peo￾ple and government of Tanzania for their hospitality and hosting the organisation headquarters in Arusha for the last 50 years.

“Walking is among the cru￾cial exercises to help cure non￾communicable diseases that of late have become a threat in society,” explained Dr Godfrey Philipo from the Surgeons College at ECSA-HC.

The five kilometres’ walk, dubbed ‘Step by Step for Better Health and Mental Wellbeing,’ according to organisers, was meant to curtain- raise the ECSA-HC 50th Anniversary Celebrations as well as helping people to connect with fellow participants, celebrate the organisation’s achievements, and pro￾mote health and wellness.

The Arumeru District Commissioner (DC), Emmanuela Kaganda who graced the health charity walk, praised ECSA HC for achieving the 50th anniversary milestone.

The KCB Bank’s Arusha Branch Business Officer, Kelvin Mboma, said their financial institution supported ECSA Charity Walk organised by the regional health institution, because it is among their reli￾able partners.

The health walk was com￾plemented with voluntary blood donation and free health diagno￾sis at the General Tyre Grounds in Njiro area.