Zanzibar officials study specialized hospital model at Muhimbili

DAR ES SALAAM: OFFICIALS from the Zanzibar Revolutionary Government’s special security departments have toured the Muhimbili National Hospital to study the establishment of a specialized referral hospital for their units.

The delegation, comprising experts from various special forces institutions, is seeking to replicate Muhimbili’s operational and infrastructural model as part of a broader government plan to strengthen healthcare services within Zanzibar’s security organs.

Speaking during the visit, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the President’s Office for Regional Administration, Local Government and Special Departments  Zanzibar, Mikidadi Mbarouk Mzee, said the initiative targets key departments including the Fire and Rescue Force, Anti-Smuggling Unit, the Zanzibar Building Brigade, and other state security units.

“The government intends to establish a referral hospital dedicated to special departments. Patients from unit-level health facilities will be referred to a central hospital under the Ministry of Health. We are here to learn best practices to ensure the facility we plan to build meets modern standards,” he said.

Mzee added that the team will compile a detailed report upon return, offering technical recommendations to guide the project. He emphasized that emergency care systems are a critical component in designing any advanced hospital.

For her part, the Executive Director of Muhimbili National Hospital, Dr Delilah Kimambo, said the visit reflects growing collaboration in strengthening healthcare delivery systems.

She noted that Muhimbili has made significant strides in specialized treatment, particularly in kidney transplantation. The hospital is set to perform five kidney transplants within the week using minimally invasive techniques for organ harvesting.

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“Since 2017, we have carried out 120 kidney transplants. This week, we will use a new technique involving a small incision to retrieve donor kidneys, replacing the conventional major surgery. This reduces recovery time and minimizes complications,” she said.

Dr Kimambo added that the hospital currently offers 127 specialized and super-specialized services and continues to oversee regional referral hospitals, which have shown strong performance, particularly in emergency care.

She also urged the public to take proactive measures against the rising burden of non-communicable diseases, stressing the importance of routine health screenings.

“Every Tanzanian should know their numbers — blood pressure, blood sugar, body weight and cholesterol levels by undergoing at least one check-up annually at a nearby health facility,” she said.

The visit marks a significant step toward Zanzibar’s ambition to upgrade its healthcare infrastructure, with a focus on building a modern, efficient referral system tailored to the needs of its special departments.