DAR ES SALAAM: THE Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI) has recorded incredible strides in promoting medical tourism following the increase in the number of foreign patients in the first quarter of this year.
According to the institute, in the first quarter of 2024, JKCI has admitted about 80 foreign patients from different African countries.
However, previously the hospital was admitting between 15 and 25 patients from different countries in the same period.
The JKCI Director Dr Peter Kisenge said on Saturday that the government investment in the health sector is paying off and that they expect to record more success in the near future.
Dr Kisenge was addressing journalists on Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan Outreach Services which are expected to be held next week in Namtumbo District, Ruvuma Region.
The JKCI boss said the in crease in the number of foreign patients was attributed to the investment made by the government in improving specialised and superspecialised health services at the institute.
“The statistics show that in the first quarter of this year, JKCI admitted about 80 foreign patients from different African countries.”
Dr Kisenge further said the foreign patients were coming from 15 African countries such as the Comoros, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, Rwanda and many others.
Also read: Tanzania sets sights on rising medical tourism
However, Dr Kisenge said that JKCI is not only admitting patients from African countries but also patients from various European countries such as Poland, China, Türkiye and Germany who come as tourists in the country “In this week we have admitted three patients who were tourists from Germany,” he said.
He added that in the past, tourists who were suffering from heart attacks while in the country, were being flown directly to nearby countries such as Kenya and South Africa seeking medical treatment but now they are taken to JKCI. “This is an indicator that JKCI is now a globally trusted institution,” Dr Kisenge underlined.
He added: “This will even increase the scope for tourists to visit Tanzania, because health is the number one security for tourists, especially the elderly, so JKCI has become a solution and an answer for tourists who visit our country.”
Regarding the Outreach Medical Services which is expected to be held this week in Namtumbo, Dr Kisenge said the exercise will start on Monday next week in collaboration with the MP’s office, focusing on conducting testing and treating heart diseases.
“This medical check-up camp will be carried out at no cost for both children and adults from July 8th to 13th this year,” he added.
He added that those with cardiac issues will undergo immediate treatment, or be given a referral to JKCI in Dar es Salaam.
On his part, Namtumbo legislator, Mr Vita Kawawa said the exercise will be conducted at two health centres of Lusewa and Mputa as well as Namtumbo District Hospital in Ruvuma Region.
In line with that the MP encouraged Namtumbo residents to turn out in numbers for medical check-up
