TANGA residents have turned up in large number to free specialist surgery services provided by a special camp.
The Minister for Health who is also a Member of Parliament for Tanga Urban Constituency said the large turn up was evidence that more people need specialist services but are unable to pay the costs.
She made the remark at the Tanga Regional Referral Hospital, Bombo, during the official launch of a free specialist surgery camp organised by Watumishi Health Checks and the Jai organisation of Tanga with doctors from the English organisation PELEKS.
Over 700 individuals have signed up for free specialist surgery services that will be delivered by experts from the Peleks organisation.
Ms Mwalimu requested that the Watumishi Health Checks and PELEKS organisations set up more free specialist surgery services in other regions to reach the many patients who have conditions that call for surgery but cannot afford the costs of surgery.
“I request that this service does not end here. I will be happy if this service will be taken to other regions to provide for the needy patients who need such services,” the minister.
The camp’s coordinator asserts that the patients come from different regions, including the Tanga region, as well as Manyara, Kilimanjaro, Arusha, and Lindi, as well as some from the Unguja islands.
He added that others from the neighboring country of Kenya have come forward to take advantage of the surgical service.
Enrolled patients are those who require tumor, gynecology, and general and bladder surgery.
He said that the surgery for some 234 children and those with problems related to bones has been postponed until next year.
