PM touts quality patient care

BAHI: PRIME Minister Dr Mwigulu Nchemba has demanded better patient care in public health facilities, warning health workers and leaders against negligence and poor service delivery that could undermine the government’s substantial investment in hospitals and other health infrastructure.

Speaking during the public rally to residents of Bahi District in Dodoma, yesterday, Dr Nchemba said the government has invested heavily in healthcare through construction of hospitals, recruitment of health professionals, provision of ambulances, medicines and modern diagnostic equipment, but insisted that those investments must be matched by responsible service delivery.

“If the government has provided an ambulance, why should a critically ill patient be asked to look for and pay for fuel before being referred to another hospital? That is not being serious and must stop immediately everywhere,” said Dr Nchemba.

Dr Nchemba said he had encountered a situation where an ambulance was available but a critically ill patient requiring referral was asked to find money for fuel, describing the practice as unacceptable and potentially dangerous to patients.

He directed regional and council leaders to ensure ambulances have fuel whenever they are needed, warning officials against asking patients or relatives to contribute money for emergency transportation.

“If a Tanzanian with a critically ill patient is asked for fuel, take the name and contact of the official asking, because that official has failed in his or her duty,” the PM said.

The Prime Minister also raised concern over the availability and management of medicines in public health facilities, noting that government records in one area showed medicine availability of more than 94 per cent. However, despite the reported high availability, he said some patients were still being instructed to buy medicines from private pharmacies after undergoing consultation and medical tests, raising questions about how government supplies were being managed.

“Patients arrive at hospitals after spending much of their savings, only to be told to buy medicines elsewhere, yet government funds have already been provided to ensure those medicines are available for them today. This is not acceptable,” he emphatically stated.

Dr Nchemba called for continued investigations into the management of medicines, warning that officials found deliberately withholding, diverting or misusing government drugs should face appropriate action rather than simply being transferred.

He said such conduct wastes public resources, damages citizens’ confidence in government and can endanger lives, particularly for patients who arrive at health facilities after exhausting much of their available money.

Dr Nchemba also criticised health workers who leave patients waiting while engaging in conversations or other activities, saying citizens seeking treatment should be treated with urgency, dignity and compassion.

He reminded public servants that Tanzanians had contributed through taxes towards their education and training and that government employment was therefore an opportunity for them to serve citizens rather than a privilege.

“Government has built hospitals, provided ambulances, hired health professionals and purchased equipment, but these investments mean little unless citizens receive timely, compassionate and quality services from responsible public servants serving communities in Tanzania properly.”

Dr Nchemba said President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan has overseen major expansion of health infrastructure, including more than 100 hospitals nationally, while health centres have been constructed at ward headquarters and ambulances provided to regions and councils.

He added that thousands of health workers have been recruited and advanced diagnostic equipment, including CT scanners in regions and MRI machines in zonal hospitals, expanded access to specialised services.

However, he said the government’s responsibility does not end with constructing facilities or purchasing equipment, insisting that leaders must supervise their use and ensure patients benefit from the investments.

“Leaders should focus on solving citizens’ problems rather than spending public resources on unnecessary activities, because the same money could build classrooms, laboratories, desks and strengthen essential health services for Tanzanians nationwide every day,” Dr Nchemba said.

The Prime Minister urged regional and district leaders to tighten supervision and redirect public resources towards priority needs, arguing that unnecessary expenditure could instead support health, education and other services.

He said officials who perform well should also be recognised, while negligent workers must be held accountable, stressing that Tanzania has many qualified citizens ready to serve if those entrusted with public responsibilities fail.