Dar Hospital cautions on death threats from respiratory diseases

DAR ES SALAAM: TANZANIANS have been asked to create a culture of testing for respiratory diseases, as they have been contributing to many deaths in the country.

The advice was given yesterday by the respiratory specialist at Shifaa Hospital Kinondoni Dar es Salaam, Dr Mwanaada Kilima, during the launch of the respiratory department at the hospital.

She gave an example that tuberculosis and pneumonia have been leading in killing many people so it is good for citizens to undergo early screening and treatment.

“Diseases such as chest congestion and asthma are diseases that cause many deaths so we have decided to establish this department to assist the government in providing specialist and comprehensive services in this area of respiratory diseases,” said Dr Kilma.

In addition, she said that patients in the department will be tested for chest and respiratory diseases and radiology, adding that this unique unit has increased the value of such treatment for all Tanzanians.

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“We are proud to have a department like this in this country because if someone has a heart problems, they know where to go for treatment, if they have a bone problems, they know where to go, and now if someone has a respiratory problems they will come  to Shifaa, that is where they will find solutions to their problems,” she said.

Speaking immediately after visiting the unit, the Assistant Director for Non-Communicable Diseases at the Ministry of Health, Omari Ubuguyu, commended the hospital for establishing the Department, which he said uses advanced technology.

“With the type of technology I have seen here and the advanced skills that will be in this department, I see it as a huge step forward in the health sector, I highly commend the leaders of Shifaa. And the good thing is that the department will not only deal with respiratory diseases but will also deal with the prevention of these diseases,” he said.

In addition, he said the department is very important for respiratory diseases for people who have contracted infections such as tuberculosis, COVID 19 and other diseases that affect the chest.

“In the public-private sector partnership, namely PPP, our colleagues at Shifaa have done a very good thing by establishing this unit because they are supporting government efforts to bring services closer to the citizens,” said Ubugyu

The Executive Director of the hospital, Bashir Haroon said Shifaa hospital has strived to place doctors and specialists in medical disciplines to serve Tanzanians.

“I am very grateful to all the people who have been with us until we got here and succeeded in establishing this Department of Respiratory System. We ask the government to continue to support us so that we can serve our fellow Tanzanians,” he said

He said the launch of the department is part of efforts to improve health services for the citizens and deal with the increase in diseases affecting the lungs and airways.