Bukoba MP hails health sector gains in Kagera

BUKOBA: BUKOBA Urban Member of Parliament, Mr Johnstone Mutasingwa, has commended the government for allocating substantial funds, deploying experts and supplying essential medical equipment that have significantly improved health service delivery in Kagera Region.

Eng Mutasingwa said under the leadership of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, major strides have been recorded in strengthening healthcare infrastructure across the region’s councils.

He noted that seven councils — Bukoba District Council (DC), Biharamulo, Ngara, Kyerwa, Missenyi and Bukoba Municipal Council (MC) — have constructed district hospitals to improve access to quality health services. Construction of the Muleba District Hospital has reached 70 per cent completion.

“Under President Samia’s leadership, various projects have been implemented to uplift the region’s economic and social standards. The construction of district hospitals across the councils has significantly improved access to healthcare services,” Eng Mutasingwa said.

He made the remarks on Wednesday during a visit to Bukoba Regional Referral Hospital (BRRH), where he met doctors and other health workers and listened to their concerns.

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BRRH Board Chairman, Dr George Buberwa, said the government recently installed a modern CT scan machine at the hospital, greatly enhancing diagnostic services. Plans are also underway to construct a new private ward.

Dr Buberwa further revealed that the government allocated 560m/- for the construction of an Intensive Care Unit (ICU), while 770m/- was spent on the procurement of specialised medical equipment.

He highlighted notable achievements at the facility, including the introduction of Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) services for premature babies.

“The capacity to admit premature babies has increased from 162 annually to 237, while infant mortality has dropped sharply from 30 per cent per year to just five per cent as of last year. Before the construction of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), about 480 babies were admitted annually; the number has now risen to 779,” Dr Buberwa said.

Kagera Region, which borders Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda and connects to Kenya through Lake Victoria, has experienced recurring outbreaks of contagious diseases, including Ebola, Marburg, Covid-19 and cholera, leading to loss of lives in previous years.

The region has several border entry points, including Murusagamba, Kabanga and Rusumo in Ngara District; Murongo and Kaisho in Karagwe; Mutukula, Kanyigo, Kashenye and Kyaka in Missenyi; and Bugabo and Rubafu in Bukoba District.