Dodoma, 20 May 2025, Amref Health Africa- Tanzania (Amref) in collaboration with the government of Tanzania through the Ministry of Health, has officially launched a transformative initiative to strengthen epilepsy care and support for people with neurological disorders. The new project, branded “Enhancing Epilepsy Care in Africa (EECA), was officially launched in Dodoma, targeting Bahi and Chamwino districts as pilot districts for scalable, community-based epilepsy care.
The three-year project, running from January 1, 2025, to December 30, 2027, is a collaborative initiative involving Amref Health Africa Tanzania, the Ministry of Health (MOH), President’s Office, Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG), the Tanzania Epilepsy Association (TEA), the Parents Organisation for Children with Epilepsy in Tanzania (POCET), the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) and the University of Antwerp, Belgium. The project is funded by the BAND Foundation and supported by the UCB Innovation for Health Equity Fund.
The project targets General public, People with epilepsy, Parents, caregivers and families of people with epilepsy, community influencers, health care providers and policy makers
The initiative aligns directly with Amref Tanzania’s programmes focusing on Strengthening Health Systems (HSS) and Empowering Communities to achieve sustainable, people-centered healthcare. Through early diagnosis, improved treatment, health worker training, and grassroots anti-stigma campaigns, the project aims to improve health outcomes and social inclusion for People with Epilepsy (PWE) and their families.
“The EECA project is a pivotal step in advancing Amref’s mission to strengthen health systems and empower communities,” said Dr Aisa Muya, Director of Programmes at Amref Tanzania. “By embedding epilepsy care into Tanzania’s primary healthcare system, we are not only improving medical access but also promoting long-term community resilience and ownership. This model reflects our broader HSS strategy investing in human resources, data, service delivery, and community leadership to build more inclusive and equitable healthcare.”
Officiating the launch, Acting Director of Curative services, Ministry of Health, Dr Winifrida Kidima, emphasised the national significance of the project.
“This initiative marks a turning point in how we respond to neurological disorders like epilepsy,” said Dr Kidima “We must work together to break the silence and stigma, and ensure that every Tanzanian regardless of condition has access to the healthcare and community support they need.”
The EECA project will be rolled out within the framework of Tanzania’s primary healthcare system, ensuring long-term sustainability, institutional ownership, and policy alignment. A central feature will be its anti-stigma campaigns, community mobilisation, and training of healthcare providers, community health workers (CHWs), caregivers, and local influencers.
Expected Outcomes Include:
- Increased policy and institutional prioritisation of epilepsy and neurological conditions.
- Improved community awareness and reduced stigma.
- Strengthened prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment pathways.
- Enhanced collection and use of scientific and routine health data to guide policy and resource allocation.
- Reduce epilepsy treatment gap
Despite affecting millions worldwide, epilepsy often remains hidden due to stigma and misconceptions surrounding epilepsy especially in low-resource settings. People with epilepsy in Tanzania often face barriers not just in health access, but in education, employment, and social life.
By placing people and communities at the heart of its strategy, the EECA project aims to change this narrative offering not only improved care, but also a renewed sense of dignity, inclusion, and opportunity.
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About Amref Health Africa Tanzania
Amref Health Africa Tanzania (Amref Tanzania) is a locally registered non-governmental organisation under the Non-Governmental Organisations Act No. 24 of 2002, holding registration number ooNGO/R1/00318. Amref Health Africa Tanzania was established as a fully-fledged country office since 1987. Historically, Amref Health Africa Tanzania was established as one of the country offices of an Africa-wide organization, Amref Health Africa that has been in existence since 1957 and actively engaged in addressing medical and surgical services, including community outreach interventions as well as related research studies, as Flying doctors Service of East Africa. Presently, Amref Tanzania is a locally led entity with its country-based leadership and Board of Governance.
For over 35 years, we have been at the forefront of public health initiatives in Tanzania, collaborating with the Ministry of Health, the President’s Office Regional Administration and Local Government (PORALG), the Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women, and Special Groups, as well as other key ministries across both Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar. Our community-based approaches empower underserved areas, strengthen connections between communities and formal health systems, promote healthy behaviors, prevent diseases, and enhance the skills of healthcare workers. We are guided by our core values of integrity, quality, ubuntu, accountability, and collaboration, which shape our culture and actions.
Amref Tanzania currently implements projects and programmes across regions on the mainland and in Zanzibar. Our strategy for 2023-2030 is centered on universal health coverage, addressing the climate crisis and its impact on health, navigating demographic transitions, ensuring public health security, and embracing data and technology transformation.
Our programmes prioritise community-led, people-centered health interventions aimed at achieving sustainable primary healthcare while addressing both immediate health needs and underlying social determinants.
Learn more about Amref Health Africa through www.amref.org
Press Contacts
Eliminatha Paschal, Head of Communication & Partnerships -Amref Tanzania Email: [email protected]
Habari Picha.
English version.
Dodoma, 20 May 2025: Acting Director of Curative services, Ministry of Health, Dr. Winifrida Kidima officiates the launch of the Enhancing Epilepsy Care in Africa (EECA) project in Bahi District, Dodoma Region. The initiative marks the beginning of a transformative effort to deliver comprehensive epilepsy care, aiming to reduce stigma and improve the quality of life for People with Epilepsy (PWE).
Dodoma, 20 May 2025: Dr Aisa Muya, Director of Programmes at Amref Tanzania, addresses stakeholders during the official launch of the EECA project. The initiative is set to enhance epilepsy diagnosis, treatment, and stigma reduction in Bahi and Chamwino Districts, integrating care within Tanzania’s primary healthcare system.
C. Dodoma, 20 May 2025: Stakeholders from the Ministry of Health, healthcare stakeholders, and development partners pose for a group photo following the official launch of the Enhancing Epilepsy Care in Africa (EECA) project in Dodoma. The project aims to improve epilepsy care and reduce stigma among People with Epilepsy (PWE) in Bahi and Chamwino Districts