Government commits to investing more in healthcare

ARUSHA: DEPUTY Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Dr Doto Biteko said on Wednesday that the government is continuing to intensively invest in medical diagnostic equipment purposely to improve healthcare services and bring world class medical care closer to them people.

Dr Biteko was speaking during a science symposium and the general meeting of Tanzania Association of Radiographers (TARA) in Arusha.

He said in the past three years, the government has managed to make major changes in the health sector and that it is committed to continue improving the sector for the betterment of Tanzanians.

He said the government procured 457 ultrasound machines to make the country attain a total of 970 machines which were distributed across the country in hospitals including the Muhimbili National Hospital, zonal hospitals, referral hospitals, district hospitals, health centres and dispensaries.

The theme of the symposium was “Pattern Recognition and Ethics.”

Furthermore, he said the government procured 386 digital X-ray machines, bringing the total number of the imaging testing equipment to 469 countrywide. He said the modern x-rays were distributed to the Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH), zonal hospitals, referral hospitals, district hospitals and health centres in the country.

Moreover, Dr Biteko said the number of MRIs has also increased from seven to 13 in public hospitals and that CT scan machines were distributed to all regions.

“This huge government investments help in saving money that would have been used to ferry patients abroad for treatment,” he said.

Dr Biteko also expressed appreciation to doctors and all other experts in the health sector, saying the purchase of modern equipment can’t help to save Tanzanians lives without having committed doctors, nurses and other experts in the area. He said improvement of health services is being carried out hand in hand with development of other socio-economic infrastructure including roads, railways, clean water and electricity supply.

He urged radiographers to keep on observing professionalism to earn respect, assuring them that the government will continue ensuring they work in favourable and conducive environment.

“Nobody can respect your professional if you don’t respect yourself, Do what it takes to bring desired impact to the country,” Dr Biteko said.

He directed the Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices Authority (TMDA), National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) and the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) to ensure their offices also have radiographers.

In another development, he urged all participants of the symposium to fully get involved in the forthcoming local government election by electing good leaders.

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Deputy Minister for Health, Dr Godwin Mollel said the government, under President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan, in three years, has significantly reduced child mortality rate.

He said the government procured Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scans (PETCT) for cancer screening at Ocean Road Hospital which enable citizens to understand their health status and seek medical attention whenever needed.

He said the measure has considerably improved specialized healthcare provision in the country. He said currently the Muhimbili Orthopedic Institute (MOI), MNH, Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI) and Benjamini Mkapa Hospital offer specialised health care.

He said Tanzania is the fourth country in Africa to have PET Scan machine which can diagnose any type of cancer. According to Dr Biteko, Tanzania is now capable of manufacturing medical radiation, a move that ends many years of sourcing the medical resources from South Africa and Türkiye. He said the country reduced overseas medical referral by 97 per cent.

Arusha Regional Commissioner, Mr. Paul Makonda said the government has allocated 72bn/- for the health sector, with 32bn/- designated for procuring medical equipment.

The remaining funds are being used for the construction and renovation of hospitals. He expressed gratitude to President Samia for effectively overseeing the Julius Nyerere Hydroelectric Power Plant (JNHPP), which has significantly alleviated power shortages in the country. He added that Arusha, through the Rural Energy Agency (REA), aims to finalise electricity connections for 1,025 hamlets.

TARA President, Mr. Bakari Msongamwanja noted that the association was established in 1976 to unite the country’s radiographers and connect them with fellow scientists globally. Since its inception, TARA has maintained strong relationships with other medical associations in Africa and around the world.

Mr Msongamwanja commended the government for its support to the country’s radiographers by funding their educational development to enhance their performance.