COVID-19

BMF's RESPONSE TO COVID-19

National Level Engagement

BMF is actively engaged in policy and advocacy work, including being the Chair and Secretariat of the Non- State Actors Health Group, Secretariat of the Non- State Actors Forum, Secretariat of HRH Alliance, and Co-chair of the HRH National Technical Working Group. BMF is also active in more than 5 Ministry of Health-led Technical Working Groups, including the COVID-19 Pillars Group.

Ports of Entry Responsiveness

In 26 of 46 official ports of entry in Tanzania, Mkapa Foundation has recruited and deployed 131 Health Care Workers to enhance early detection and screening of COVID-19 and other outbreak diseases. Moreover, 484 facility-based HCWs were deployed in health facilities to provide emergency response services.

Community & Facility Responsiveness

To combat the spread of the COVID-19 virus in communities, 3,992 Community Health care Workers (CHWs) have been deployed in villages and wards in 24 regions of Tanzania by Mkapa Foundation to provide health promotion initiatives at the community level.

In the course of creating a safe working environment for health care workers, BMF procured and distributed PPEs to all 46 ports of entry and 22 Regions which were given to frontline health care workers. Similarly, the institution supplied working gears to all CHWs, including mobile phones, for timely reporting and referrals for all clients presented with COVID- 19 symptoms from the community.

Furthermore, BMF renovated/ refurbished 7 isolation centers in five regions, namely Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Shinyanga, and Geita and Mara, to increase the ability of health facilities to respond to pandemics effectively.

In accelerating timely and quality health service provision, BMF coordinated and conducted capacity building to health care workers and community health workers with a key focus on essential health service provision, health promotion, and COVID – 19 prevention and management. The strengthening of community health structures amplified this to respond to COVID – 19 emergency outbreaks at the community level.

To sustain the quality of service provision at all levels, especially at the community and health facility level, BMF conducted jointly supportive supervision with LGAs in selected high-risk areas to provide on-site mentorship and coaching while addressing barriers for effective COVID – 19 emergency response.

Moreover, BMF has played a significant role in developing LGAs COVID-19 Micro plans to increase institutional support towards management of COVID – 19 at the sub-national level.

Together We Will Overcome

Let us all take precautionary measures outlined here to safeguard ourselves and our loved ones.

What is COVID-19 ?

COVID-19 is a disease caused by a virus called SARS-CoV-2. Most people with COVID-19 have mild symptoms, but some people can become severely ill. Although most people with COVID-19 get better within weeks of illness, some people experience post-COVID conditions. Post-COVID conditions are a wide range of new, returning, or ongoing health problems people can experience more than four weeks after first being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19. Older people and those who have certain underlying medical conditions are more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19.

How does the virus spread?

COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly through close contact from person to person, including between people who are physically near each other (within about 6 feet). People who are infected but do not show symptoms can also spread the virus to others. Cases of reinfection with COVID-19 have been reported but are rare. We are still learning about how the virus spreads and the severity of illness it causes.

How can I protect myself and others from COVID-19

Wear a mask
Stay 6 feet away from other
Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated space
Wash your hands often
Cover coughs and sneezes
Clean and Disinfect
Monitor your health daily

What should I do if I get sick or someone in my house gets sick?

For people who are recovering at home and their caregivers, including:

Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.
If you have COVID-19, tell your close contacts so that they can quarantine at home and get tested.
Use a separate room and bathroom for sick household members (if possible).
The person who is sick should isolate.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.
If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
Clean the sick room and bathroom, as needed, to avoid unnecessary contact with the sick person.
The person who is sick should wear a mask when they are around other people at home. They do not need to wear a mask if they are alone.

What should I do if I have had a close contact with someone who has COVID-19?

The best way to protect yourself and others is to quarantine by staying home for 14 days if you think you’ve been exposed to someone who has COVID-19.

Be alert for symptoms of COVID-19.

If possible, stay away from others, especially people who are at higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19.

You may NOT need to quarantine if:

You have been fully vaccinated and have no symptoms
You were previously diagnosed with COVID-19 within the last three months and don’t develop any new symptoms

COVID19 RESPONSE

CAREERS