Tanzania yesterday launched an ultramodern hospital for treatment of kidney and heart related diseases, being the first in Dodoma Region.
The Benjamin Mkapa Ultramodern Hospital located at the University of Dodoma (UDOM) will also serve as the zonal referral hospital for Dodoma and Singida regions.
Upon completion, the hospital will have 40 modern machines for kidney treatment and in the next five years it will start performing kidney transplanting.
Speaking at the official launch of the health facility, President Jakaya Kikwete noted that the hospital, the third of its kind after one in Morocco and South Africa in the continent will reduce the burden and cost of seeking such treatments overseas.
“I am pleased that the plan hatched several years ago of having such a modern facility in effort to improve provision of health services to Tanzanians has become a reality,” he said.
He said the hospital that will be under the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare will be useful not only to people seeking treatment but to even students of health and allied sciences at the university.
The head of state added that despite the establishment of the modern hospital in the region, the government still has plans to empower regional referral hospital as well as the district General Hospital.
To see the hospital takes off efficiently, the government has set over 5bn/- to run it in the 2015/2016 financial year.Deputy Minister for Health and Social Welfare Dr Stephen Kebwe told the president that 2.5bn/- has been allocated for salary for staff, while some 2.6bn/- will go to other costs.
He said the hospital will adopt tele-nursing services, adding that such services are currently found at the Muhimbili National Hospital, Ocean Road, KCMC, Bugando, Amana, Mwananyamala and Temeke.
“We are sure that after completion, all kidney and heart patients will get treatment in the country and help reduce the cost of sending such patients abroad,” said the deputy minister.
The University of Dodoma’s Chancellor, Benjamin Mkapa while speaking at the same event noted that the fourth phase government has done a great work by establishing the hospitals.
“It is pleasing that such modern and rare facility in the continent is found in Tanzania,” he said pouring praises to President Kikwete for steering development in health, education, infrastructure, among other sectors.
The former head of state Mkapa categorically stated that in his capacity as the chancellor to the university, he will do everything possible to ensure that the hospital that is coincidentally named after him operates as expected.
Earlier Prof Shabaan Mlacha, Deputy Vice Chancellor – Planning, Finance and Administration said the history of the hospital dates back to 2008 when the President toured the region and advised that the hospital be built at the institution.
He said the university administration took the matter forward as the university has enough space and health experts to support the initiatives.
Deputy vice chancellor said the head of state directed the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to carry out the construction of the hospital under the guarantee of the government
“The University of Dodoma in close partnership with NHIF started working on the plans and in July 2009 the construction plan was adopted,” he said.
For the building to reach the then envisaged international standards, he said, a team of experts was sent to learn from famous hospitals in India, Malaysia, Japan, China, Russia and Germany.
In 2010 the construction of the hospital was started and up to the time of the launch this week, the first phase of the project was completed and the second phase is at advanced stages.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
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