BMH saves billions in kidney transplants
DODOMA: THE Benjamin Mkapa Hospital (BMH) has achieved a significant medical milestone, successfully performing kidney transplants on 25 patients and saving the government billions of shillings in potential overseas referral costs over the past four years.
BMH Executive Director, Prof Habel Makubi revealed that during a press conference on Tuesday, highlighting the hospital’s pivotal role in enhancing specialised medical care within the country.
“We have successfully performed kidney transplants on 25 out of 50 patients with kidney complications during the past four years,” Prof Makubi stated, emphasising the hospital’s commitment to providing critical services locally.
These procedures, offered at an affordable cost of 875m/-, have significantly reduced the need for patients to seek treatment abroad, he said.
Furthermore, 10 of these patients received free medical services through Dr Samia’s Special Fund, which disbursed 350m/-.
Had these patients sought treatment outside the country, the government would have incurred cost of 1.875bn/-, representing substantial savings.
This remarkable achievement is part of BMH’s broader investment of 36.95bn/- in specialised medical services during President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s four years in office.
Prof Makubi highlighted that the hospital has leveraged modern technologies and conducted vital medical research to reduce the prevalence of chronic diseases in Tanzania.
BMH currently employs 967 staff, including 81 specialist doctors and 16 specialised experts. The hospital has 400 beds and provides outpatient services to an average of 1,000 to 1,200 people daily.
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For the past four years, Prof Makubi said, a total of 972,740 patients received services from BMH, whereby 1,260,175 received laboratory services and 272,660 others received radiology services.
Kidney harvesting procedures have been significantly improved through the introduction of Laparoscopic Nephrectomy. Since its implementation in 2024, overseas referrals for these procedures have decreased by 99 per cent.
In partnership with the University of Dodoma (UDOM), BMH has extended specialised medical treatment to 14 million people across seven regions of mainland Tanzania.
Looking ahead, Prof Makubi outlined plans to upgrade BMH to become the second national hospital in Tanzania, after Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH).
The hospital also intends to intensify the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), including Artificial Intelligence (AI), to enhance service delivery.
