MARA: Over 400 villagers would now be accessing health services at the new Mangucha dispensary in Nyanungu ward of Tarime district, which has been built by Barrick North Mara Gold Mine, through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects.
The gold mine pumped 164m/- to set up the modern health facility in the rural village which has never had such service before.
“We are indeed grateful to the North Mara Gold Mine for providing CSR money to build this dispensary. We promise to be goodwill ambassadors of the mine, “ Nyanungu Ward Councilor, Mr Tiboche Richard said during the official handing over of the dispensary project on Thursday last week.
The Mangucha Village Chairperson, Mr Kimahi Mgesi also thanked the gold mine for making construction of the dispensary possible.
“We are thankful to the Gold mine and promise to safeguard this health center for the current and future generations,” the village chief said when speaking on behalf of the village residents.
The dispensary is expected to begin offering health services to about 4,460 people in the remote village, according to the government health officials in Tarime District Council.
“We thank Barrick for providing money which has successfully built this dispensary. We will continue giving them cooperation in the implementation of other CSR projects,” the new Chairperson of Tarime District Council, Mr Matera Newland Chacha said.
Tarime District Administrative Secretary (DAS) Mr Saul Mwaisenye officiated the handing over event of the project on behalf of the area District Commissioner (DC) Major Edward Gowele.
“I am satisfied with the quality and the speed of these CSR projects, “ DAS Mwaisenye pointed out.
The goldmine used a local contractor to build the dispensary.
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Tarime Member of Parliament, Mr Mwita Waitara also thanked the Goldmine for the new dispensary and urged Tarime District Council to ensure that is also includes maternity services.
Barrick North Mara Community Relations Manager, Mr Francis Uhadi said completion of the project demonstrates the good cooperation that the gold mine is enjoying from Tarime District Council and the local communities.
“Today’s event is a testimony to good cooperation between North Mara Gold Mine and Tarime District Council in implementing CSR projects, “ Mr Uhadi said as part of his remarks at the event.
He said the health sector is currently getting a huge chunk of money (about 20 per cent of the CSR budget) for implementation of various projects in the area.
The gold mine which is operated by Barrick Mining Corporation in partnership with the government of Tanzania, through Twiga Minerals has so far disbursed 5.4 bn/- for the construction of dispensaries, health centres, medical equipment and staff houses for medical personnel since 2020, according to Mr Uhadi.
“In 2025, we are implementing 21 health services projects worth Sh 2.4 bn/- and many of them, including this one of Mangucha dispensary which has been completed, are in the final stages of construction,” Mr Uhadi said.