MNH, Qatar Charity partner to provide free medical services to Dar patients

DAR ES SALAAM: MUHIMBILI National Hospital (MNH) in collaboration with Qatar Charity has begun providing free medical services for six days at a special screening camp for citizens of Dar es Salaam, especially the Mbagala and Kigamboni areas as a step to combat non-communicable diseases.

Speaking during the provision of the service at Zakiem Parks in Mbagala, an Endocrinologist from MNH, Dr Joseph George Minja, said the camp aims to provide free screening and treatment services for diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.

He said the six-day camp, which began on April 28, 2026, has been divided into two phases, where three days serve the citizens of Mbagala, and the other three days will move to Kigamboni.

“We provide free health screening services, including blood sugar, blood pressure, and heart tests. Citizens who are found to have challenges will be given medication along with professional advice, and if they need a referral, they will go to Muhimbili,” said Dr Minja.

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He added that the response from the public is great, with more than 500 people being served on the first day of the camp, despite the challenge of rain.

Dr Minja noted that statistics show that there are approximately 65 percent of diabetics in the world, while a large number of people with diabetes do not know if they have the disease, a situation that is compounded by the lack of a culture of regular health screening.

He cited other reasons as including an unhealthy lifestyle, including eating foods high in sugar and excessive use of energy drinks, which can increase the risk of developing heart disease and high blood pressure.

He also urged citizens to change their lifestyle by eating a healthy diet, exercising, and ensuring they regularly check their health to avoid serious preventable consequences.

For his part, the Social Welfare Officer from the Qatar Charity, Wataa Muhammad, said the institution has decided to collaborate with Muhimbili in the program to help reduce the impact of non-communicable diseases, which have been increasing rapidly, especially among the youth.

“We provide these services free of charge to all citizens. We ask them to come forward in large numbers to know their health status and get treatment early,” said Wataa.

Joyce Daudi said they are grateful for bringing this service closer to their homes because she had a problem of feeling unwell, however, due to denial and lack of money, she was unable to go to the hospital.

“I feel bad in my body, and I have come to seek the service because it is free because money prevents me from reaching Muhimbili. I came for a quick check, and I saw a doctor for free.