MOSHI: THE Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC), radiotherapy treatment building worth over 5bn/-for cancer patients, which was inaugurated by President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, is expected to be completed by April 30th this year.
The government has already allocated 4 bn/- for the project and plans to invest an additional 1 bn/-for medical equipment and other necessary supplies to complete the radiotherapy treatment building project for cancer patients.
This statement is after the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) visit led by the committee’s Chairperson, Japhet Hasunga, held a visit to the construction project. During the visit, the PAC committee has commended the government, through the Ministry of Health and KCMC, for the implementation of the project.
ALSO READ: Govt confident of producing more radiotherapy physicians
“Our committee’s role is to ensure value for money, advise, and oversee the government. But I must say, for the first time, we have seen a building with no floors but thick walls. Truly, I commend the efforts, as the buildings are visible, and government funds have been used well,” said Hasunga.
Furthermore, Hasunga noted that this project is the first of its kind at KCMC, and if managed well, the government could grant them another project. He emphasised the public-private partnership aims at building the nation, with the ultimate beneficiaries being Tanzanians who will receive quality healthcare services.
On his part, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Seif Shekalaghe, revealed, “We truly appreciate and commend the PAC committee for continuously providing guidance and advice. To a large extent, we have achieved our goal of improving the health sector so that citizens can access quality healthcare services.”
Dr Shekalaghe confirmed cancer services have been provided for over two years now, and the government continues to allocate funds for construction and the procurement of medical equipment.
Earlier, while presenting the project report, the KCMC Director Prof. Gileard Masenga, stated that the completion of this project would improve radiotherapy services for cancer patients and ensure that people in the northern regions of Tanzania have access to timely and quality healthcare services.
“This radiotherapy treatment building project, being implemented by the government in collaboration with KCMC and development partners, will enable the cancer patients to get the service,” said Prof. Masenga.