Mchengerwa calls for stronger disease prevention research

KILIMANJARO: MINISTER for Health, Mohamed Mchengerwa has tasked the leadership of Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) to focus on strategies and research aimed at preventing diseases and promoting public health.

The minister made the call on Monday during the foundation-laying ceremony for a new cardiac centre at the hospital in Moshi, Kilimanjaro Region.

In a speech delivered on his behalf by Deputy Minister for Health Florence Samizi, Mr Mchengerwa said KCMC should strengthen community education programmes to help citizens prevent both communicable and non-communicable diseases.

“The strategies should also include educating communities on how to avoid various diseases,” he said.

He noted that promoting disease prevention would reduce the number of patients seeking treatment, lower the cost of providing healthcare services and allow the government to redirect resources to other development priorities.

Mr Mchengerwa said the government continues to invest heavily in constructing new health facilities and improving existing ones, costs that could be significantly reduced if citizens are better informed about disease prevention.

Commenting on the new project, he said the cardiac centre would help ease congestion at the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI) in Dar es Salaam while bringing specialised cardiac services closer to people in the Northern Zone.

“You will be moving one of the best health services closer to the citizens, supporting the government’s efforts to improve access to quality healthcare,” he said.

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The minister also assured the hospital of continued government support in implementing the project and strengthening health services.

Speaking during the event, KCMC Executive Director Mr Gileard Masenga, said construction of the cardiac centre is expected to cost 25bn/-, excluding the cost of medical equipment.

He said the project is being funded by several partners, including the Foundation for Cardiac Care in Africa and the Global Health Care Foundation.

Upon completion, the centre will have the capacity of about 125 beds, including intensive care unit (ICU) wards, operating theatres and other specialised facilities for cardiac treatment.

Prof Masenga added that the hospital has already begun preparing for the new services by sending health professionals abroad for specialised training in cardiac care.

The event also coincided with the 55th anniversary of KCMC since its establishment in 1971.

Earlier, a special thanksgiving service marking the milestone was led by the head of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT) Dr Alex Malasusa.

Among those who attended the event were Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Seif Shekhalage, Northern Diocese Bishop Fredrick Shoo, Pare Diocese Bishop Charles Mjema, Moshi District Commissioner Godfrey Mnzava and Rombo District Commissioner Raymond Mwangwala.