Government spends 6.5bn/- to end medicine shortages

MVUMI: THE government has spent 6.5bn/- on medicines, medical supplies and reagents for health facilities in Chamwino District to ensure residents receive quality services and eliminate persistent drug shortages, Prime Minister Dr Mwigulu Nchemba has said.

Addressing residents of Mvumi Mission Ward on Sunday at a public rally held after an inspection tour of the ongoing construction of the Ntyuka–Mvumi–Kikombo road, Dr Nchemba said 5bn/- came from the central government and 1bn/- from the Medical Stores Department (MSD).

He stressed that the funds must directly benefit citizens seeking care in public health facilities.

“We want the money allocated for medicines to serve the people. This habit of reporting 85 per cent, 90 per cent or 95 per cent drug availability while patients are still told to buy medicines from private pharmacies is unacceptable,” he said.

Dodoma Regional Commissioner Rosemary Senyamule said the government under President Samia Suluhu Hassan has implemented major transformative projects in the region, turning Dodoma into a model city admired nationwide for improved infrastructure.

Mvumi MP Livingstone Lusinde thanked the government for the construction of the Ntyuka–Mvumi–Kikombo road and the ongoing construction of a Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA) college in Mlowa Bwawani Ward, which is nearing completion at a cost of 1.89bn/-.

He added that 120m/- had also been allocated to complete construction of the Manda Health Centre.

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On compensation for residents affected by the road project, Works Minister Abdallah Ulega said 700m/- has already been paid to 750 residents in the Kikombo area. For Mvumi, he said the government was finalising a review of delayed valuations, and eligible residents would be compensated once the process is completed.

The 76-kilometre Ntyuka–Mvumi–Kikombo tarmac road, costing 136bn/-, is expected to boost economic and social development by improving connectivity between Dodoma and Chamwino.

The road will also improve access to the historic Mvumi Eye Hospital in Chamwino District.