Muhimbili Hospital, China hospital sign deal for technology transfer

MUHIMBILI National Hospital (MNH) and Hunan Children’s Hospital of China have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on knowledge and technology transfer for the provision of super-specialised paediatric services.

The MoU will see professionals exchange from the country’s main referral hospital with a Chinese entity that is advanced in paediatric services.

At the signing ceremony held in the facility on Wednesday, MNH Executive Director Professor Mohamed Janabi stated that Hunan, the largest hospital in China, has 2,000 beds for children and is the first to perform liver and kidney transplants for children in China.

In addition, Prof Janabi stated that MNH plans to expand its paediatric department into a fully-fledged children’s hospital in the near future. According to him, the agreement will serve as a stepping stone to achieving this goal.

The MNH paediatric ward has 326 beds, and there are plans to have enough experts to staff for the planned national paediatric hospital, says Prof Janabi.

He noted that because Hunan is also more technologically sophisticated, they are appreciative of the deal because it will enable MNH to develop such a hospital.

Economic and Commercial Counsellor from the Chinese embassy in Tanzania CHU Kun said hailed the government of Tanzania for the tireless effort to ensure the agreement was reached.

He said the Chinese embassy in Tanzania will continue to work in collaboration with other stakeholders to strengthen and prolong the relationship between the two countries.

Mr Kun attributed the agreement to the President Samia Suluhu Hassan state visit to China last year where the two countries lifted their comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to promote bilateral ties onto a healthy and stable development path.

The Head of Referral Services at the Ministry of Health Dr Asha Mahita said through the agreement, establishment of super-specialised paediatric services at MNH will be a possibility.

“This agreement today will be very essential for improving paediatric services at MNH,” she said.

“The government has invested so much in the basic health care in the country therefore this kind of support will strengthen provision of services in the country.”