From June 24-25, MC-Tanzania participated in the Afya Check campaign, in Ilala District, Dar es Salaam, a massive health camp that travels the country, where people can go and have their health screened for free. 

This campaign, known as the Afya Check Community Outreach Program (ACOP), is an extension of a popular Afya Check media program that has been an annual campaign for Dar es Salaam residents and other regions of the country for over a decade.  

Among the other things provided, MC-Tanzania provided free oral health education, conducted screenings, referred those who needed oral and dental treatment, as well as distributed Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials to reinforce oral health instruction. 

Thanks to this campaign, 1,468 community members were reached with Oral Health Education and now have a greater health awareness level, and a total of 134 people were screened for health issues. In equal measure, over 134 community members were referred for treatment. 

“During this activity, we focused on raising community oral health awareness through workshops. Community health fellows conducting community outreach and educational sessions on oral health promotion and disease prevention are needed and beneficial for our community.” Kambarage Kinemo Nyamhanga, MC-Tanzania Program Coordinator says. 

Part of this event was also the District Commissioner for Ilala Hon, Edward Mpogolo, accompanied by other district government officials who graced the occasion.

MC-Tanzania conducted the campaign in collaboration with the Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner’s Office through the Regional Medical Office, Local Government Authority(LGAs) Hospitals (Municipal and Regional Hospitals), and the national hospital. It also collaborates with the Medical Association of Tanzania (MAT), Tanzania Medical Students’ Association (TAMSA), Tanzania Dental Association (TDA), and other associations of healthcare providers and private healthcare providers.

With such activities, MC-Tanzania makes oral health care accessible to those in need across Tanzania. It prioritizes improving oral health care by providing oral health awareness and dental service to communities with limited access to primary healthcare.