DODOMA, July 13 (NNN-DAILYNEWS) — TANZANIA’S drive to position itself as a regional hub for medical tourism is gaining traction, with over 470 patients from Comoros seeking specialised and super-specialised healthcare services in the country following a medical camp held last year.
According to a recent report, the country has generated over 2bn/- following a visit by a team of 20 specialist doctors from Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH), Ocean Road Cancer Institute, Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI), Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute (MOI) and Benjamin Mkapa Hospital (BMH) in Dodoma.
Tanzania’s doctors provided advanced services, including heart surgery, cancer treatment and brain surgery to 2,770 patients in the Comoros. Of the patients, over 470 were referred to Tanzanian hospitals for further specialised treatment, effectively translating the medical tourism initiative into a tangible success.
In bolstering the country’s medical tourism efforts, Minister for Health Jenista Mhagama recently launched Royal International Patients and Master Health Check-up Clinics at Benjamin Mkapa Hospital in Dodoma, calling on the private sector to join the cause and support the government’s health sector goals.
The minister further emphasised the need for more medical camps to be conducted abroad, noting that the revenue generated from foreign patients is being used to subsidise specialised and super-specialised healthcare for marginalised Tanzanians who cannot afford such services.
Mhagama noted that the health sector heavily relies on support from other sectors to achieve its objectives.
After witnessing the signing of MoUs between Benjamin Mkapa Hospital, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) and Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI), the Health minister expressed confidence that the collaborations will act as a catalyst for sustainable development in the health sector.
She added that the collaboration between BMH and the University of Dodoma (UDOM) will also boost progress in both institutions.
The minister commended both institutions for securing a 28bn/- project to establish a kidney transplant centre, noting that the achievement is a point of national pride.
“My heartfelt congratulations go to the University of Dodoma and Benjamin Mkapa Hospital for your remarkable patriotism. The completion of this major project, funded by Japan’s TOKUSHUKAI Organisation, will position Tanzania as a centre of excellence for kidney transplants in East Africa. I have been informed that construction of this project will begin this year,” she said.
On her part, Chief Medical Officer Dr Grace Magembe said that the foundation of improved healthcare lies in the entire health service delivery process, which is why Tanzania is determined to establish a national accreditation system.
According to Dr Magembe, the accreditation will focus on infrastructure, service providers, training and other health-related visa guidelines.
Meanwhile, Executive Director of Benjamin Mkapa Hospital, Professor Abel Makubi, assured the public that the introduction of international-standard services will not affect the delivery of highquality, professional care to ordinary citizens.
“These services are aimed at improving access to advanced medical care for Tanzanians and foreign visitors alike. They will be delivered promptly, with our doctors working overtime to ensure efficient service,” he explained.
Prof Makubi also said that the signed MoUs with JKCI and KCMC pave the way for the smooth exchange of expertise, joint training, collaborative research and information sharing.
Currently, the Dodoma based zonal hospital (BMH) offers 20 specialist and 17 subspecialist services, serving an average of 1,200 patients per day, up from 900 in previous years.
Earlier, the outgoing Deputy Chairperson of the Transition Committee for the medical tourism initiative, Dr Abdul-malick Mollel, said that in the past four years, 12,000 foreign patients have sought medical care in both public and private hospitals in Tanzania.
Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of Benjamin Mkapa Hospital, Prof Edward Hosea, stated that despite the shortage of staff, the hospital is still owed approximately 20.9bn/- for services rendered to various stakeholders.
Prof Hosea appealed to the Ministry of Health to help ensure payment of the debts so that the hospital can continue delivering healthcare services efficiently. — NNN-DAILYNEWS
