Benjamin Mkapa Hospital launches kidney transplant, cancer centers
DODOMA: TANZANIAN Vice President Dr Philip Mpango has stated that the government is committed to enhancing medical tourism services as part of its strategies to improve and strengthen the country’s health sector and contribute to the GDP.
The Vice President made this statement during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Cancer Training and Treatment Center, as well as the launch of the Kidney Transplant Center at Benjamin Mkapa Hospital in Dodoma.
He said the contribution of Medical Tourism to the GDP is currently estimated at 166.5bn/-, where the number of patients coming to the country for treatment has increased from 5,700 in 2021 to 12,180 in 2025.
The Vice President has recognized the contribution of Benjamin Mkapa Hospital to Medical Tourism, which is a result of the significant investment made by the Government in Infrastructure, Medical Equipment with modern technology, and experts specializing in various fields.
He said the move provides an opportunity to continue expanding Medical Tourism services that will enable patients from various countries to come in large numbers to be treated in the country.
“I call on Benjamin Mkapa Hospital in partnership with the private sector or the city council to look into the possibility of building a special building for accommodation and other services, such as food and money, for relatives and patients from neighboring countries or regions, especially when they are waiting for treatment or allowed to return to their homes after treatment.
In addition, the Vice President has advised the Ministry of Health, doctors, and all health workers to ensure that public education on disease prevention involves schools, colleges, religious Institutions, NGOs, and social Institutions to increase efforts in protecting Tanzanians from infectious and even non-communicable diseases, to avoid high medical costs.
“Be creative in providing education using various methods, and especially Information and Communication Technology, as well as digital systems, to deliver this important education to the citizens.
The Vice President has also directed the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the E-Government Authority, to ensure that medical systems in national and regional specialized hospitals are compatible to facilitate the continuity of treatment.
“I call on the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, to establish a system to educate and develop doctors to the level of excellence and proficiency in treating cancer, kidney transplants, and bone marrow transplants.
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For his part, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr Seif Shekalaghe, said that due to the major improvements made in the health sector, including the improvement of Benjamin Mkapa Hospital, citizens from various neighboring countries have continued to receive treatment in local hospitals.
He said the Sixth Phase Government has strengthened health services from dispensaries to specialist hospitals in line with the election manifesto, as promised to the citizens.
