BMH eyes to honour its 10th year by raising funds for children with sickle cell anaemia

DODOMA: BENJAMINI Mkapa Hospital has announced plans to hold a special fundraising drive aimed at supporting the cost of bone marrow transplants for children suffering from sickle cell disease, as well as kidney transplants for patients in need.

The initiative forms part of activities marking the hospital’s 10th anniversary since its establishment.

Speaking to journalists, the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Abel Makubi, stated that the main anniversary event is scheduled for May 8, 2026. He noted that the fundraising initiative is intended to address the high cost of these specialised treatments, which remain largely unaffordable for low-income citizens.

He emphasized that the initiative is being implemented in collaboration with the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), highlighting that both kidney and bone marrow transplant procedures require substantial financial resources, thereby limiting access for a significant portion of the population.

According to Prof Makubi, the Chief Guest during the fundraising event is expected to be the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan. He added that a similar fundraising event is scheduled to take place in Zanzibar on April 11, 2026, with a target of raising  7bn/-.

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Providing an operational update, Prof. Makubi reported that 28 children have so far undergone bone marrow transplants at the hospital, including 27 Tanzanian patients and one from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The total cost of these procedures has reached 1.9bn/-, with approximately 1.3bn/- saved compared to the cost that would have been incurred if the patients had sought treatment abroad.

He further noted that the hospital currently serves an estimated population of 10 million people, employs more than 100 specialised and super-specialised doctors, and offers 20 specialist services alongside 18 super-specialist services.

Prof. Makubi also called on organisations, institutions, companies, stakeholders, and the general public to support the initiative by contributing funds through Control Number 995220798235 under the name “BMH Organ Transplant,” or via account number 102501000407 at the Bank of Tanzania under the same name.