DODOMA: THE Benjamin Mkapa Hospital (BMH) in Dodoma is establishing a special fund to support bone marrow and kidney transplant.
This initiative aims to enhance access to life-saving treatments for children with sickle cell disease and individuals in need of kidney transplants.
BMH Executive Director, Professor Abel Makubi revealed the plan when speaking recently during a visit by Mama Anna Mkapa, wife of the late third President, Benjamin Mkapa, to the facility.
Prof Makubi noted that the BMH is looking forward to expanding access to life-saving services for children with sickle cell complications.
Mama Mkapa toured the facility to assess progress made over the past ten years.
Prof Makubi said the fund is necessary due to the high cost of organ transplants, noting that BMH is the only hospital in Tanzania and the East African region offering bone marrow transplants for children with sickle cell disease.
He said a bone marrow transplant costs 75m/- locally, compared to 130m/- abroad, while kidney transplants cost 40m/- at BMH versus more than 60m/- overseas.
According to Prof Makubi, continued government investment has helped families save millions of shillings, but additional support is needed to sustain and expand super-specialised services.
“We are mobilising partners to complement government efforts as demand for these services continues to grow,” he said.
He added that 54 patients have so far undergone kidney transplants at BMH, with 97 per cent showing positive progress.
ALSO READ: Milestone in bone marrow transplant
He also revealed that plans are in the final stages to establish a regional Centre of Excellence for kidney transplant services and training, in line with President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s health sector agenda.
Mama Mkapa commended the hospital’s rapid development, including the introduction of nearly 20 specialised services and 17 super-specialised services.
She said the progress reflects the vision of the late President Mkapa and the continued commitment of President Samia to strengthening the health sector. She pledged further support to help expand the hospital’s services.
Recalling a previous mission to Japan with the late President Mkapa, she said partnerships initiated at the time, including collaboration with the Tokushukai Medical Group, which pioneered dialysis services at the University of Dodoma (UDOM) and later at BMH, have now culminated in the milestone achievement of kidney transplant services.
“I am delighted to see how far the country has come, reaching the stage of performing transplants locally,” she said, promising continued support through her international partners.