ARUSHA: THE Minister of Information, Arts, Culture, and Sports, Paul Makonda, has commended the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI) for utilizing a digital system to maintain records of patients receiving care at various medical camps.
He expressed this appreciation recently during a seven-day camp which began on Monday and is scheduled to conclude on Sunday where citizens get free medical screenings, consultations with specialists, treatment, medication, and referrals.
The camp is organized by the Arusha Regional Commissioner’s Office in collaboration with the office of the Member of Parliament for Arusha Urban, Paul Makonda, as well as the Ministry of Health, national referral hospitals, specialized health institutions, and private hospitals.
Makonda stated that the system enables JKCI to identify a patient who received care during a previous medical camp, view the tests performed and treatments administered, and determine the necessary steps for ongoing health monitoring.
“JKCI has established an effective system that tracks patients treated at each camp. When a patient returns, their information is readily available, making it easy to determine when they were treated, what condition was diagnosed, and what measures were taken,” he said.
He noted that the system facilitates patient follow-up, both during the camps and when patients visit the hospital on regular days.
“This helps ensure that patients do not fall out of the system after a camp concludes. When they arrive at JKCI or attend another camp, their records are accessible, allowing doctors to continue providing appropriate care,” he said.
Makonda urged hospitals and other health institutions to learn from JKCI and implement similar digital systems.
“I commend JKCI for this system. It would be beneficial for other hospitals to adopt it as well, so that patients receiving care at medical camps can be easily tracked, rather than having to start the process anew at each camp without their medical history,” he said.
JKCI Executive Director, Dr Peter Kisenge, said the institute arrived at the camp with cardiologists, a pediatric cardiologist, nutritionists, and modern diagnostic equipment.
Dr Kisenge noted that this is the third time JKCI has participated in a medical camp organized in Arusha.
“This is our third time participating in this camp. The services are intended for the residents of Arusha Region as well as those from neighboring regions,” he said.
He stated that JKCI has brought more than four specialist cardiologists, along with a specialist in pediatric cardiology.
“We have a pediatric cardiologist. We have also brought electrocardiogram (ECG) equipment and echocardiography machines that utilize artificial intelligence technology,” he said.
Dr Kisenge noted that nutrition experts at the JKCI booth are providing education on proper nutrition and how to prevent heart disease and other non-communicable diseases.
He added that the main message conveyed at the JKCI pavilion is “Know your numbers,” urging citizens to be aware of key health indicators.
“The information we provide focuses on knowing one’s blood pressure, heart rate, blood oxygen levels, blood sugar, weight and height, as well as blood lipid levels,” he said.
He noted that knowing these indicators helps in the early detection and prevention of conditions that can lead to stroke, heart failure, and heart attacks.
“It is important for citizens to get health check-ups early. Knowing one’s blood pressure, blood sugar, blood lipid levels, and heart health status can prevent serious complications and save lives,” he said.
He assured Tanzanian citizens found to have conditions requiring further treatment that they would continue to receive care at the relevant hospitals and institutions even after the camp concluded.
Dr Kisenge stated that JKCI had introduced a specialized patient monitoring technology known as “Dozee” to the camp.
He explained that the technology, which is placed beneath the patient’s mattress, can collect and analyze various health data without the need to attach multiple wires to the patient’s body.
He noted that the technology can be used to monitor heart rate, breathing patterns, blood oxygen levels, and other vital signs.
“This technology can issue an alert when a patient’s condition changes, indicating a need for them to return to the hospital for further treatment,” he said.
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Dr Kisenge stated that the technology would facilitate the monitoring of patients who have received treatment but still require observation while at home.
He added that JKCI has continued to invest in technologies for treating blood vessels and cardiac electrical system disorders, as well as in the use of robotics for certain surgeries.