How emergency medicine cuts deaths by 40pc

EMERGENCY medical services (EMS) play a critical role in saving lives by providing timely and life-saving interventions.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), more than half of the deaths from trauma, noncommunicable diseases and obstetric emergencies can be prevented with timely emergency care.

In low- and middle-income countries like Tanzania, the need for robust and accessible emergency medical systems is more urgent than ever. Globally, millions of lives are lost every year due to limited access to emergency healthcare, delayed transportation or the absence of trained personnel.

Tanzania has made commendable progress in this regard. Since the establishment of the country’s first emergency department at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) in 2010, death rates have dropped by 40 per cent. This achievement not only underscores the importance of EMS but also highlights the country’s commitment to building a resilient health system.

Speaking during the commemoration of World Emergency Medicine Day, the Deputy Executive Director of Muhimbili National Hospital–Mloganzila, Dr Julieth Magandi, said that the department’s success has not only saved lives but also significantly reduced public complaints, especially those related to delays in service delivery.

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“The major success observed has been the reduction of deaths by 40 per cent, along with a decrease in numerous complaints, especially those related to delays in service delivery.  This progress has been a driving force behind the nationwide expansion of emergency services,” said Dr Magandi.

She emphasised that emergency care services have now reached the district level, marking a significant milestone in decentralising health interventions across Tanzania.

“To this day, emergency services have expanded and are now available starting from district hospitals. We take pride in these achievements, which reflect our collective effort in building a stronger, more responsive health system,” she added.

Dr Magandi applauded healthcare professionals in emergency departments for their unwavering dedication and urged all medical workers across institutions to be ever-ready to provide quality emergency care, especially during disasters and major health incidents.

She also drew attention to the growing global burden of road traffic accidents, non-communicable diseases and both natural and manmade disasters, reinforcing the urgency of strengthening emergency preparedness in all health institutions.

A study conducted at MNH further reinforced this urgency, showing that the existence of emergency services has led to a reduction of deaths by over 50 per cent, a proof of the crucial role EMS plays in health outcomes. Dr Juma Mfinanga, Head of the Department of Emergency Medicine at MNH, also commended the country’s strides in enhancing emergency response systems at all levels of healthcare.

“We take pride in the significant achievements in the provision of emergency and accident services in the country, following major improvements to this service implemented from the national hospital level, referral hospitals, regional, district and primary healthcare levels,” said Dr Mfinanga.

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He noted that the government, through the Ministry of Health and its stakeholders, has played an instrumental role in scaling up these services down to the grassroots.

“To date, since the introduction of emergency services at MNH, more than 100 emergency and accident departments have been established, all equipped with modern medical equipment for saving lives,” Dr Mfinanga said. Education and training have also played a major role in improving emergency care.

According to Prof Emmanuel Balandya, Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor – Academics at the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS), the university has been a key partner in EMS for over 15 years.

“MUHAS is a key stakeholder in emergency services in three main areas: Education, service provision and research. We have been working in collaboration with MNH since the establishment of the emergency department, training specialist doctors in emergency and trauma care,” said Prof Balandya.

He further explained that MUHAS has set up advanced simulation laboratories funded by the ABBOTT FUND.

These labs are equipped with modern tools that offer students practical, handson training to better prepare them for real-life emergency scenarios.

“In addition to that, we are planning to introduce a new programme specifically in paediatric emergency medicine and the curriculum has already been submitted to the Tanzania Commission for Universities (TCU). If all goes well, we expect to start enrolling students this year,” he added.

The Acting Director of Medical Services, Dr Faraja Chiwanga, praised the emergency department for their excellent teamwork and responsiveness in handling critical cases. Also weighing in, Dr Humphery Medalakani, a specialist in emergency medicine and lecturer at MUHAS, said they are proud to provide life-saving emergency services, which have proven crucial in reducing avoidable deaths.

“We take pride in providing emergency services because we have helped save many lives,” he said.

Ahead of the World Emergency Medicine Day celebration, Dr Medalakani said they conducted training for healthcare workers in various departments outside the emergency unit on how to manage diverse emergency scenarios.

He added that they also provided first aid training to help staff respond effectively to common emergencies like choking, unconsciousness, bleeding, burns and heart attacks.

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This training was even extended to film industry actors to promote emergency preparedness in the workplace. The growing recognition of emergency medicine’s role in safeguarding lives is a welcome development for a country still grappling with healthcare access challenges.

However, sustaining and expanding this service will require continued investment, community awareness and coordination among public and private health institutions. The World Health Organisation recommends that all countries develop structured emergency care systems as part of their universal health coverage goals.

Tanzania’s progress, especially in reducing deaths, decentralising emergency services and strengthening medical education, offers a model that other nations in the region can emulate.

As the nation continues to build capacity in emergency care, it is essential to remember that every second counts in an emergency.

The investment in skilled personnel, equipment and systems must therefore be continuous and prioritised to ensure that no life is lost due to delays in care Dr Kimario, who is in Mama Samia Scholarship at MUHAS, said that from the time he joined there, he has developed confidence in helping emergency patients and he is sure that after going back to his workplace, he will be more useful in the emergency department.

With more than 100 wellequipped emergency departments established and more healthcare workers trained each year; Tanzania is clearly on the right path to transforming emergency medical services into a powerful national asset.