ZANZIBAR: PRESIDENT Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi has called for further investment to strengthen health systems, arguing that the sector is a vital component for human wellbeing and a backbone to development at all levels in our society.
“We are injecting a lot money in the health sector. Thanks to our development partners and other stakeholders for enabling us to improve health systems including health infrastructure,” Dr Mwinyi said at the Zanzibar State House, where he hosted a delegation from the Global Fund, led by Dr Sarah Asiimwe.
The President thanked the ‘Global Fund’ for its efforts in supporting the Zanzibar government in various development areas, including the improvement of healthcare in the country.
“We are advancing the delivery of better and quality medical care,” he added.
Regarding the introduction of the mandatory travel health insurance to travelers entering Zanzibar, Dr Mwinyi explained that the intention is to guarantee provision of quality medical care, particularly during emergencies such as outbreaks.
Dr Mwinyi equally praised the existing good relations between the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar and the “Global Fund”, especially working closely with the Ministry of Health including supporting the establishment of the Oxygen Plant at the Lumumba Hospital.
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In response, Dr Asiimwe informed the President that her institution (Global Fund) is committed to continue supporting development programmes in the country including the health sector.
The Minister of Health, Mr Nassor Ahmed Mazrui, said that his ministry in collaboration with the office of the Second Vice President and the anti-malaria unit, have been working closely with the Global Fund to control the spread of Malaria, AIDS and Tuberculosis.
He said, since its establishment in 2002, the Global Fund remains a serious partner to Zanzibar Government “To date when we establish an Oxygen Plant at the Lumumba Regional Referral Hospital in the Unguja Urban West region.
We are very happy to open the US104,880 dollars oxygen plant to serve Zanzibar and beyond. The Zanzibar government contributed 12 per cent of the funds.”
Earlier at the launching of the oxygen plant, Mr Mazrui said it is one of the largest plants in the region.