Tanzania, March 10 -- Dar es Salaam. Tanzania is intensifying efforts to confront the growing burden of rare diseases, with the government urging stronger collaboration between universities, hospitals and research institutions to improve diagnosis, treatment and policy response.

Health experts say that although each rare disease affects a relatively small number of people, collectively they pose a significant public health challenge that remains largely under-recognised in many developing countries.

Globally, more than 7,000 rare diseases have been identified, affecting an estimated 300 million people worldwide, equivalent to about 3.5 to 5.9 percent of the global population. Many of these conditions are genetic, chronic and life-threat...