India, MOI provide free artificial limbs to 600 Tanzanians

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Indian High Commission in the country, in collaboration with the Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute (MOI), has provided free artificial limbs to 600 Tanzanians in need.

The support was delivered through a medical camp conducted by specialists from the Jaipur Foot Institute of India, who spent two months in the country starting from November 26, 2025.

Speaking recently at a ceremony held at the Swami Vivekanand Cultural Centre (SVCC) in Dar es Salaam to welcome the New Year 2026 and congratulate the specialists, the Indian High Commissioner to Tanzania, Mr Shri Bishwadip Dey, said this was the second time such a camp had been held in the country.

He said that a few years ago, the Jaipur Foot Institute provided similar services to 430 Tanzanians.

Mr Dey said the specialists arrived with a commitment to provide artificial limbs to 600 beneficiaries and, after reaching the target, extended the services to an additional 25 to 30 people.

“We have been collaborating with the Ministry of Health. We are thankful to the government for giving us this opportunity to serve our Tanzanian brothers and sisters. We are also grateful to MOI, which has closely coordinated this initiative,” he said.

Mr Dey stated that through the camp, local specialists were also trained on how to work with artificial limbs so that, in the future, they will be able to repair and fit them when necessary.

According to him, the Jaipur Foot Institute ultimately wishes Tanzania to become self-sufficient in the production and maintenance of artificial limbs.

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Mr Dey further explained that although the initiative started with a limited number of beneficiaries, many people are still in need of the service and future collaboration with MOI will focus on transferring technology and skills to enable local specialists to continue offering the service even in the absence of visiting experts.

On bilateral relations, the High Commissioner said Tanzania and India witnessed positive growth in trade relations in 2025, with trade volume increasing to 8.6 billion US dollars from 7.9 billion US dollars in 2024.

“Tanzania is our secondlargest trading partner in Africa. For Tanzania, India is the number one export destination and we are the fourth-largest investor, with Indian companies providing employment to about 70,000 Tanzanians,” he said.

On his part, the Executive Director of MOI, Ambassador Dr Mpoki Ulisubisya, said the Jaipur Foot Institute has introduced new technology that uses affordable, locally available materials to help people who have lost limbs continue with their daily activities.

He said efforts are underway to strengthen the collaboration further by exploring ways to bring the services closer to the people, including extending them to regions where such services are currently unavailable.