The elderly, according to the United Nations are among the fastest growing population, even more than that of children from 0 to 5 years of age. According to World Health Organization factsheets, in 2018 it was recorded for the first time in history that people aged 65 and above outnumbered children aged 0 to 5 years. While global healthcare adapts itself to cater for the fast-growing elderly population, society too needs to adapt to the same.

Car-Free Days are days when people do not drive private vehicles to allow cities to be free of congestion and noise and to give people a chance to walk and cycle freely. It is an incentive to cut down emissions which negatively impact health and disrupt ecosystems and the biodiversity of the planet Earth. Rwanda is an examplary country in Africa in this regard.

Gratitude is one of the high-ranked values in human society. All traditions and religious beliefs converge in the acceptance that gratitude is invaluable and indispensable. Gratitude is one of the social values that have a special commemoration day. Globally, World Gratitude Day is celebrated on 21 September every year.

Young people are influenced to be at the forefront of demonstrations, resistance campaigns, armed warfare, violations, purposed injustices, etc. In many situations, those crises would be solved if they do not participate in prolonging them.

All patients, regardless of age, status, gender, illness, or physical fitness, are vulnerable. In view of reducing the possibility of wounding patients through prescriptions, misdiagnosis, compromise of boundaries, negligence, infrastructures, etc. patient protection policies are implemented in all healthcare settings globally.

Doctors and paediatric physical therapists recommend that children should not be made to carry heavy weights exceeding 15 per cent of their body weight. The average weight for a 12-year-old child (both boys and girls) is about 40 kilos. 15 per cent of 40 kilos is 6 kilos. Do we see this as a problem to be addressed, especially in Tanzania?

All workers are exposed to occupational hazards and dangers in different ways based on the nature and actual situations of their work environment. Each is vulnerable to some possible deadly situations either immediately or in the long run if safety measures are not duly observed. Employers and workers should be held accountable for non-compliance, each for their part, while the government really works to ‘create an enabling environment’ as the policy reads.

At many night parties, especially for weddings, birthdays, and others, children dance to entertain adults. This is not new, however, it has taken a different turn. In the past, it was more of a show choreography where children knew their place and delivered just as is appropriate for decent and respectful entertainment. However, the trouble now is that children are made to dance to indecent songs in indecent manners as they see on the internet and on TV.

In looking at matters of children, the mistake we often make is looking at them with the eye of an adult. The result of this is seeing things that children need and enjoy as boring, useless and a waste of time. There is oftentimes a temptation to ignore looking at playing with the eyes of children.

The message to our artists is that we are entertained by their acting, singing, dancing, choreography, jokes, and others, but we are conscious of the ethics and values of our society. There is no point entertaining people with what they do not like or accept.