Bumbuli Council Hospital to begin operations next month

TANGA: THE newly constructed Bumbuli Council Hospital in Lushoto District, Tanga Region, is set to begin operations on September 1 this year, it has been announced.

Council Executive Director Baraka Zikatimu announced this while responding to a question during a recent Bumbuli Full Council meeting noting that, the hospital will initially offer outpatient services.

Zikatimu said that a total of 1.5bn/- was allocated for the construction of the hospital, with the funds being disbursed in three phases.

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“During the first phase, we received 500m/- which was spent in construction of outpatient department (OPD) building and laboratories,” Zikatimu explained.

He explained that in the second phase the government provided an additional 500m/- for the maternity care building.

” We have now received the final allotment of 500m/-, which will be used to construct two patients’ wards,” he added.

Zikatimu also mentioned plans for the next phase of funding, which will focus on building isolation ward facilities.

The Council Chairman Mr Amiri Shehiza said the construction of the hospital demonstrates the importance of having a local council which has helped to bring essential services closer to the people.

The launch of medical services at Bumbuli Council Hospital will significantly reduce the burden of travelling to the district referral hospital for accessing the services.

Jumaa Dhahabu, Chairman of the Health, Education and Water Committee said that the hospital will bring relief to Bumbuli residents.

Previously, many residents had to travel to Lushoto or Korogwe for referral services, or rely on the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania’s hospital in Bumbuli, where some services were excessively expensive for ordinary citizens,” Dhahabu said.

He pointed out that the opening of Bumbuli Council Hospital will provide more accessible and affordable healthcare for the Bumbuli community.

He also noted that the new hospital will reduce overcrowding at Lushoto District Hospital, which currently serves the Lushoto and Mlalo constituencies.