JKCI directed to stop development along Nyerere Road, told to go to Mikocheni
DAR ES SALAAM: MINISTER for Health, Ms Ummy Mwalimu has directed Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI) to drop plans to develop its infrastructure at the JKCI Dar Group compound along Nyerere Road and focus their efforts on expanding JKCI’s services within the Tanzania Food and Nutrition Centre (TFNC) compound in Mikocheni.
“I stopped JKCI from going ahead with their intentions to expand at Dar Group, and I now have good news: I visited TFNC …they have approximately 13 hectares that they are willing to share with JKCI,” said the Minister during a tour of Members of Parliament from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Social Welfare and Development at JKCI last Thursday.
She stated that because of its wider area and connections to numerous other locations, such as Mikocheni, Mbezi, Masaki, and even Oysterbay, the Mikocheni area would be more appropriate for JKCI to develop its infrastructure.
“I was recently advised by an expert that since Tanzania will host AFCON in 2027, thus, given Dar Group’s proximity to the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA), the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA), and the highway, it would be better for it to be a trauma centre rather than dealing with cardiac problems,” she noted.
Ms Ummy also expressed disbelief at learning that JKCI owes the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) almost 10bn/-, but she pledged to take care of the matter and ensure that the money is paid immediately.
The Minister also tasked the JKCI to establish branches in other regions across the country to accommodate the high volume of patients seeking cardiovascular care.
Members of Parliament who toured the facility had asked that branches be established in other regions to bring services closer to the people. Ms Ummy stated that the long-term plans for JKCI is to expand its services to all zones, with the Lake Zone being given priority to serve a larger population with cardiovascular diseases (CVD).
“Since many people nationwide require JKCI services, establishing branches will alleviate congestion in Dar es Salaam facility,” the minister said.
Earlier, JKCI Director Dr Peter Kisenge said that currently, the hospital has a 154-bed capacity, 23 Intensive Care Units (ICU) (13 for Paediatrics), Eight critical care units, three Operating rooms (OR) and two catheterisation laboratories.
He said so far, JKCI has done 27 public outreaches in 13 regions, whereby 12,000+ people were screened and 5520 diagnosed with CVD, of which 2818 were newly diagnosed, 1446 referrals to JKCI, and 211m/- incurred (58 per cent from JKCI).
