DODOMA: PRIME Minister Dr Mwigulu Nchemba has called on Tanzanians, public and private institutions, organisations and development partners to support kidney and bone marrow transplant services for underprivileged patients, saying collective efforts are needed to save lives.
He made the appeal on Thursday evening in Dodoma during the Okoa Maisha Gala, a fundraising event for the Kidney and Bone Marrow Transplant Fund organised jointly by Benjamin Mkapa Hospital (BMH) and the CCM Women’s Wing (UWT).
“I call upon Tanzanians, public and private institutions, organisations and development partners to join hands with the government in enabling poor patients to access these specialised treatments,” Dr Nchemba said.
Describing the initiative as a noble undertaking, the Prime Minister commended UWT for supporting efforts to expand access to life-saving healthcare services.
“This is a noble act, an act of compassion and service that directly touches the lives of Tanzanians. I commend UWT for responding to this call and becoming part of the effort to save the lives of our people,” he said.
He added that the fundraising campaign was restoring hope to patients and their families and urged more individuals and institutions to contribute so that more Tanzanians could benefit from the specialised services.
Dr Nchemba said the government, under the leadership of President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan, would continue investing in the health sector by improving infrastructure, expanding medical equipment and strengthening specialised services to enable more Tanzanians to access advanced treatment within the country.
He said he had personally witnessed the impact of the specialised services during visits across the country, where families frequently appealed for support for relatives requiring kidney and bone marrow transplants.
“I am grateful to Professor Abel Makubi (Executive Director of the BMH) and his team, because they have continued to receive these patients and provide them with quality treatment. I have personally visited some of them after their operations, and they all testified to receiving excellent care. That is the vision President Samia wants to see realised and ensure Tanzanians receive advanced medical treatment within their own country,” he said.
Earlier, Minister for Health Mohamed Mchengerwa said the government would continue strengthening specialised healthcare services by investing in infrastructure, medical equipment and skilled health professionals.
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He also called on stakeholders to continue contributing to the Kidney and Bone Marrow Transplant Fund, noting that Benjamin Mkapa Hospital had significantly reduced the need to refer patients abroad for the specialised procedures.
“Today, Tanzania has started receiving patients from other countries seeking these specialised services. This event was not organised for a meal, but to save the lives of Tanzanians who need treatment,” Mr Mchengerwa said.
Speaking at the event, BMH Executive Director Prof Abel Makubi said the hospital currently offers 20 specialised services and 17 super-specialised services.
He said BMH had successfully performed bone marrow transplants on 38 children, including one from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and kidney transplants on 56 patients.
“These achievements have brought new hope to many families across the country,” Prof Makubi said.
He noted that 50 children and 50 adults were still awaiting kidney and bone marrow transplants, adding that the hospital aims to raise more than 7bn/- over the next two years to finance treatment and expand specialised services.
Prof Makubi said BMH also plans to construct a 32bn/- state-of-the-art cancer centre and a major kidney care centre over the next decade as part of its expansion strategy.
He added that the hospital was partnering with the University of Dodoma (UDOM) to position Dodoma as a regional hub for medical tourism.
During the fundraising gala, stakeholders donated and pledged a total of 2.225bn/- to support the Kidney and Bone Marrow Transplant Fund. The funds will be used to finance treatment for needy patients and strengthen infrastructure for kidney and bone marrow transplant services.