JKCI extends wings across Tanzania

DODOMA: THE Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI) is expanding its services across Tanzania by establishing a network of hospitals aimed at enhancing cardiovascular care for more citizens.

After acquiring Dar Group Hospital, the institute has opened heart clinics in Kawe and Oyster Bay in Dar es Salaam, as well as in Chato, reflecting President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s commitment to strengthening the country’s health sector.

Presenting a four-year performance report in Dodoma yesterday, JKCI Executive Director Dr Peter Kisenge announced plans to establish another clinic in Arusha.

Over the four years of the Sixth Phase Government under President Samia’s leadership, JKCI has treated a total of 745,837 patients including 674,653 adults and 71,184 children.

Dr Kisenge reported that 30,645 patients were admitted, among them 25,273 adults and 5,372 children.

At JKCI in Upanga, 513,484 patients received treatment, including 470,119 adults and 43,365 children.

The number of admitted patients was 17,668, with 14,580 adults and 3,088 children. At Dar Group Hospital, located in the TAZARA area of Dar es Salaam, 278,839 patients were treated, including 238,570 adults and 40,269 children.

The number of admitted patients was 12,977, with 10,693 adults and 2,284 children.

“The services provided included cardiac treatment, dental and oral care, emergency services, maternity and pediatric clinics, eye, ear, nose and throat clinics, dermatology, urology, major and minor surgeries, gastrointestinal and liver disease treatments, kidney treatment, and care for other infectious diseases, including malaria,” Dr Kisenge elaborated.

He added that the ‘Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan Outreach Programme’ has been implemented in 20 regions and 14 workplaces, benefiting 21,324 people, including 20,112 adults and 1,212 children, who were screened for heart diseases.

According to Dr Kisenge, 8,873 individuals were diagnosed with various heart conditions and began treatment, while 3,249 patients including 2,765 adults and 484 children were referred to JKCI in Dar es Salaam for specialised medical care.

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He noted that JKCI specialists have also extended their expertise beyond Tanzania, providing cardiac medical services in Malawi, Zambia and the Union of the Comoros.

Under President Samia’s tenure, JKCI’s status in Africa has risen, strengthening Tanzania’s medical tourism efforts.

The institute has attracted 689 patients from various African and international countries over the past four years. JKCI has treated patients from Somalia, Malawi, Kenya, Rwanda, Comoros, Mozambique, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, and Burundi.

Patients have also traveled from Armenia, China, Germany, India, Norway, France, and the United Kingdom for specialised cardiovascular care.

Under President Samia’s leadership, JKCI’s budget has increased from 56bn/- to 64bn/- , enabling the acquisition of advanced technologies for performing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery (CABG), Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI), and Peripheral Interventions.

Additionally, JKCI’s pediatric ICU has been expanded from 8 to 16 beds, while the adult ICU has increased from 8 to 10 beds, thanks to a 503.45bn/- allocation for renovations.

Over the past four years, approximately 1.5bn/- was spent on medical equipment, 170m/- on telemedicine services, and 28m/- on specialist training in radiology and critical care.

Through the Public Service Recruitment Secretariat, the government has hired 186 new employees across various cadres, while 366 staff members have been promoted.

Furthermore, JKCI has facilitated short-term training for 184 employees, with 45 completing long-term courses and 51 currently enrolled.

Dr Kisenge highlighted that JKCI has signed three-year agreements with national hospitals in Rwanda and Zambia to provide cardiac treatment and build the capacity of medical professionals in those countries.

He added that the completion of a four-story administration and diagnostic building, costing 3.6bn/-, has alleviated office space challenges and expanded cardiac diagnostic services.

“We extend our sincere gratitude to the Sixth Phase Government, under President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan’s leadership, for its unwavering support in equipping us with state-of-theart medical technology, enabling us to provide exceptional patient care,” he concluded