DODOMA: ROTARY clubs in Tanzania and Uganda have pledged to strengthen collaboration with the Benjamin Mkapa Hospital (BMH), to expand access to specialised health services, including bone marrow transplants for children with Sickle Cell disease and kidney transplant services.
The commitment was made by Rotary District Governor for Tanzania and Uganda, Ms Kristine Kawooya during her visit to BMH, where she toured the bone marrow transplant unit and inspected the ongoing expansion of the kidney transplant centre.
“We are ready to join forces and support BMH, mobilise more stakeholders and engage the community to enhance bone marrow transplant services for children with Sickle Cell and kidney transplant treatment. When the community is empowered, the nation is empowered,” she said.
Ms Kawooya also called on the media to support awareness campaigns on transplant programmes, noting that media platforms have the reach needed to mobilise public participation and support.
Earlier, BMH Executive Director, Professor Abel Makubi expressed gratitude to Rotary clubs for funding the construction of a modern Health Skills Laboratory (Skills Lab), which has significantly enhanced practical training for healthcare providers and students.
He said the facility has transformed hands-on training by equipping health workers with critical competencies that will benefit the country for years to come. Prof Makubi added that BMH is currently strengthening its bone marrow transplant programme to support children suffering from Sickle Cell disease, while also expanding kidney transplant and cancer treatment services.
“These programmes require substantial investment, but they restore hope and improve the quality of life for many patients,” he said.
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Acting Assistant Director in charge of Training at BMH, Dr Emiliana Myovela, also commended Rotary for its contribution to capacity building through the Skills Lab.
She said a total of 269 health professionals, including doctors and nurses, have so far received specialised training at the facility in areas such as surgery, trauma and emergency care, obstetrics and midwifery, thereby improving service delivery across different parts of the country.
Rotary Club of Mwalimu Nyerere Dodoma President, Dr Paul Nandire called on Dodoma residents to join Rotary clubs and establish more chapters, including at BMH. He noted that Rotary currently has about 4,000 members across the two countries and urged more stakeholders to join in order to broaden the impact of humanitarian and health initiatives.