Tanzania’s President John Magufuli. /REUTERS
Tanzania’s President John Magufuli is once again making headlines due to his remarks on faith, prayer and COVID-19.
The 60-year-old, who holds a doctorate in chemistry, declared his country free of the coronavirus during a prayer service in the capital, Dodoma on Sunday.
According to BBC News, President Magufuli commended the Church leader and worshippers for not wearing gloves and masks to protect themselves from the virus.
He believes the COVID-19 crisis has been exaggerated.
“I want to thank Tanzanians of all faiths. We have been praying and fasting for God to save us from the pandemic that has afflicted our country and the world. But God has answered us,” President Magufuli was quoted as saying.
Adding: “I believe, and I’m certain that many Tanzanians believe, that the corona disease has been eliminated by God.”
His remarks during the prayer service were welcomed with applause and celebratory ululation, according to the BBC.
Meanwhile, public health experts and the World Health Organization (WHO) have over time expressed concern over the “government’s strategy on Covid-19.”
The President is criticized most especially by the opposition politicians for enabling a more relaxed approach to the pandemic compared to the strict lockdowns and restrictions in neighboring East African countries.
Where as Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda and others shut down all places of worship, Magufuli asked Tanzanians to pray away the virus and left places of worship open since the Covid-19 outbreak began.
Magufuli also advocated for a herbal treatment touted as a cure for Covid-19 by the president of Madagascar Andry Rajoelina. However, the WHO warned that there was no proof of any cure, and it is unclear if the herbal treatment has been given to patients in Tanzania.
On 29 April, the last day official data on Covid-19 cases was released, there were 509 infections, with 21 deaths in Tanzania. However, Mr Magufuli said last week that only four patients were receiving treatment in the largest city, Dar es Salaam.
The head of Tanzania’s medical association, Elisha Osati, backed the government in a recent BBC interview, saying that hospitals were operating as normal and that the majority of coronavirus inpatients were suffering from mild symptoms.
Tanzania is set to hold elections later this year, with Magufuli likely to contest again, sources say.
