Mchengerwa graces construction of the Pwani  Referral Hospital and Samia College of Health in Rufiji

UTETE: THE Minister for Health Mohamed Mchengerwa has laid the foundation stone for the construction of the Pwani Regional Referral Hospital and Samia Suluhu Hassan College of Health, a project expected to ease the burden of patients travelling long distances to access specialised medical services.

Speaking during the laying of the foundation stone ceremony, Minister Mchengerwa said the hospital will bring specialist health services closer to residents of Pwani and neighbouring areas, including Mafia, where distance has for years posed a major challenge in accessing advanced medical care.

According to the health minister, some residents from Pwani are currently forced to travel to referral hospitals in other regions, with people from some areas covering more than 500 kilometres to access specialised services.

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He said the situation places a particularly heavy burden on patients, elderly people and those requiring specialised care, while also increasing the time and cost of seeking treatment.

“The distance has caused challenges for our people in various areas. They have been travelling long distances to seek health services, a situation the government has seen and decided to address,” Mchengerwa said.

Additionally, the minister said once completed, the hospital will serve residents of Pwani, including those from Mafia, as well as people from neighbouring areas and regions, by providing specialised services closer to their communities.

Mchengerwa said the project is part of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s vision of bringing quality health services closer to the people.