Government steps up health infrastructure investment
ZANZIBAR: THE Zanzibar government will continue to strengthen health infrastructure, including staff housing, health centres and hospitals, as part of sustained efforts to improve healthcare services for residents of Unguja and Pemba, Minister for Community Development, Elderly, Gender and Children, Ms Anna Athanas Paul, has said.
The minister was speaking recently in Vitongoji, Pemba, during the foundation stone-laying ceremony for staff houses at Vitongoji District Hospital, held as part of activities marking the 62nd anniversary of the Zanzibar Revolution.
“The construction of staff housing will enable health workers to live closer to medical facilities, ensuring that patients receive treatment at all times and without unnecessary delays,” she said.
According to the minister, proximity of health workers to hospitals will also help reduce maternalrelated deaths and improve access to other essential services, including emergency care.
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She further noted that the construction of new health centres and district hospitals in areas such as Kinyasini, Wete, Micheweni and Vitongoji, alongside major renovations at Abdalla Mzee Referral Hospital in Mkoani, will significantly strengthen healthcare delivery across Pemba.
However, Ms Paul urged contractors to complete the projects on time in line with contractual agreements, while calling on the Ministry of Health management to closely monitor the implementation to ensure timely and quality completion.
Presenting a technical report on behalf of the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr Mngereza Mzee Miraji, the Director of Medical Services, Dr Marijani Msafiri, said the projects form part of the government’s continued implementation of CCM’s election manifesto, aimed at expanding health facilities and staff housing to enhance service efficiency.
He said construction is scheduled to take 18 months at a total cost of over 5bn/-, funded through government resources. Once completed, the staff houses are expected to enable health workers to provide timely and efficient services.
Meanwhile, Mkoani District Commissioner, Ms Miza Hassan Faki, commended President Mwinyi for delivering major development projects on Pemba Island, particularly in the health sector.
