Over 200 old health centres to be renovated countrywide
DODOMA: PLANS are underway by the government to renovate old health centres in the country to ensure they provide services that meet the needs of citizens.
Deputy Minister of State in the President’s Office (Regional Administration and Local Government), Dr Festo Dugange informed the National Assembly here yesterday while responding to a supplementary question by Njombe Urban MP Deodatus Mwanyika (CCM).
The lawmaker wanted to know when the government would renovate and expand Njombe Health Centre since it is among the old health facilities in the contry.
Dr Dugange said that President Samia Suluhu Hassan has already issued directives to his office regarding the renovation and expansion of old health centres.
“We have already prepared a list of all old health centres; they are 202 in total including the Njombe Health Centre” he said.
He said the government is currently finalising the renovation of old district council hospitals and upon completion it will begin renovating old health centres.
“We are currently renovating the old council hospitals. We have already completed the renovation of 32 of them and once the remaining 19 are completed, we will begin the renovation of the old health centres,” he stated.
Earlier in his basic question, Ngorongoro MP Lekishon Shangai wanted to know when the government will disburse funds for completion of Arash Health Centre.
ALSO READ: MP advocates for labour rooms for women with disabilities
Responding, Dr Dugange said construction of Arash Health Centre began in 2018 where the government through the Ngorongoro Conservation Authority (NCAA), allocated 100m/- for the construction of an outpatient building (OPD), maternity and surgery buildings.
The outpatient building has been completed and is currently in use. The laboratory, maternity and surgery buildings are at different stages of construction, he said.
Dr Dugange said in 2023/2024 the government released 30m/- for completion of the laboratory building. He further said that the government, through the Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) has constructed three houses, which are at various stages of completion.
The Deputy Minister added that the government will continue to allocate funds for the renovation and construction of infrastructure at Arash Health Centre.
Meanwhile, Dr Dugange said that the government has continued to provide funds for the construction of health centres in strategic wards across the country.
He was responding to a basic question by Dr Christine Ishengoma (Special Seats, CCM) who wanted to know when the government will allocate funds for the construction of Magadu Health Centre in the Morogoro Municipal Council.
He said currently the residents of Magadu Ward receive services at the Mzinga Military Hospital, which is approximately 2 kilometres from the ward headquarters.
Dr Dugange further said to ensure that the people of Magadu Ward receive basic services, the government has been improving dispensaries in the ward, including Magadu Dispensary, which has been allocated 30m/- for the renovation of the outpatient building (OPD) and 40m/- for the completion of the Mgambazi Dispensary in the 2024/25 fiscal year.
He said the government will continue to strengthen the dispensaries to ensure they provide quality services to the residents of Magadu Ward.
