New health centre set to transform care on Island

ZANZIBAR: FOR decades, residents of Tumbatu Island have endured risky sea crossings to access basic medical services on the mainland.

That long and often dangerous journey is expected to end with the construction of a modern health centre that will bring essential healthcare closer to home for the island’s more than 18,000 residents.

Zanzibar Second VicePresident (2VP), Mr Hemed Suleiman Abdulla, said the completion of the Tumbatu Health Centre will greatly improve access to critical services, including maternal and child health, emergency care, laboratory diagnostics, as well as preventive and curative treatment.

Mr Abdulla made the remarks while laying the foundation stone for the facility during celebrations marking the 62nd anniversary of the Zanzibar Revolution (Mapinduzi), which will climax on January 12, 2026.

He said the project reflects the government’s firm commitment to strengthening health infrastructure and ensuring that all citizens particularly those living on islands receive quality healthcare close to their communities and in facilities that meet international standards.

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“The Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar continues to strengthen the health sector by improving referral systems. District hospitals across Zanzibar are already operational and serving residents in all districts,” he said.

The Second Vice-President noted that the government is now focusing on constructing regional hospitals in the remaining four regions, building a large and modern Binguni Hospital and undertaking major renovations at Mnazi Mmoja Referral Hospital, while Lumumba Regional Hospital continues to provide services to the public.

He directed the Ministry of Health to prioritise employment opportunities for qualified local youth, ensure the availability of ambulances and deploy sufficient medical specialists to provide 24-hour emergency services particularly for pregnant women and other emergency cases from the community level through health centres to hospitals.

Mr Abdulla also instructed the contractor and project supervisors to complete the project on schedule and adhere strictly to approved quality standards.

He urged residents to cooperate with implementers and safeguard the infrastructure for the benefit of present and future generations.

He further called on Zanzibaris to continue protecting and honouring the ideals of the 1964 Zanzibar Revolution, stressing that peace and unity remain key foundations for sustainable development.

Presenting a technical report, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr Mngereza Mzee Miraji, said the project is part of the implementation of the CCM Election Manifesto 2025–2030 (Clause 93) and President Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi’s commitment to strengthening the health sector and improving community welfare.

Dr Miraji said the ministry is implementing five key priorities to improve primary healthcare, including modern and patient-friendly infrastructure, skilled health workers, reliable availability of medicines and medical equipment and the use of digital health systems.

Once completed, he said, the Tumbatu Health Centre will serve residents of all Shehias on the island, which had a population of 18,366 according to the 2022 National Population and Housing Census.

The facility will have a capacity of more than 30 inpatients and operate 24 hours a day.

The centre will offer outpatient services (OPD), maternal and child health clinics, emergency and accident care, diagnostic services and surgical procedures, including an operating theatre.

The 6.4bn/- project is funded by the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, implemented by Simba Developer Ltd and supervised by the Health Care Engineering and Infrastructure Department.

Construction is scheduled for completion in March 2026. Meanwhile, North Unguja Regional Commissioner, Mr Cassian Gallos Nyimbo, asked the government to consider granting Tumbatu Island district status, citing rapid population growth and increasing demand for social and economic services.

He also called for the construction of a large modern market to boost trade and strengthen the local economy.