ZANZIBAR: MOTHERS who have had to travel long distances for maternity services, along with families facing night-time medical emergencies, will now benefit from better healthcare access thanks to the construction of a new facility closer to their community.
The facility offers renewed hope for timely and reliable medical services.
The government of Zanzibar has described the construction of the Konde Health Centre as a significant milestone in strengthening specialised healthcare services, particularly for mothers, children and patients requiring emergency care.
Speaking during the laying of the foundation stone, held as part of the celebrations to mark Zanzibar’s 62nd anniversary of the Revolution, Minister of State in the President’s Office (State House), Dr Saada Mkuya Salum, said the government remains committed to constructing modern health facilities closer to communities in order to reduce long distances travelled in search of medical services.
She stressed the need for the Ministry of Health to deploy sufficient specialists and ensure the provision of quality services, noting that such efforts are in line with the core principles of the 1964 Zanzibar Revolution.
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Dr Mkuya further called on residents to support government initiatives, urging the contractor, Shamjo Company, to ensure the project is completed in accordance with required standards and durability.
Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Health, Dr Mngereza Mzee Miraji, said the government has issued five key directives to the ministry, including strengthening health infrastructure, ensuring quality services across Unguja and Pemba, deploying competent personnel, guaranteeing the availability of medicines and modern equipment, rolling out digital health systems in all 142 health facilities, and securing sustainable financing for primary healthcare.
The Konde Health Centre is being constructed at a cost of 6.2bn/- from government funds and is expected to serve more than 37,000 residents, providing maternity, outpatient and inpatient services.
Constituency representative Zawadi Amour Nassor commended the government for building a Level Two health centre, noting that it will operate on a 24-hour basis once completed.
Residents of Konde have welcomed the project, saying it will help address long-standing challenges in accessing maternal, child and other essential health services.