Reconstructive surgery camp benefits over 300 patients

DAR ES SALAAM: MORE than 300 patients have benefited from a free reconstructive surgery camp organised through a trilateral partnership involving Aga Khan Hospital, Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) and the Reconstructive Women International (RWI).

The camp, which marks a decade of continuous collaboration, brought together local and international specialists to provide life-changing surgical procedures to patients with various reconstructive needs.

Gracing the event in Dar es Salaam on Friday, the Director of Curative Services at the Ministry of Health, Hamad Nyembea,said the initiative reflects a strong partnership between the public sector, private healthcare providers and international organisations aimed at improving access to specialised medical services in the country.
He noted that the camp has significantly improved the quality of life for beneficiaries and their families, while also contributing to reducing disability in the community.

“This initiative is aligned with the government’s efforts to strengthen specialised healthcare services, particularly in reconstructive surgery, which is still developing in Tanzania,” he said.

He added that the success of the camp demonstrates the importance of collaboration in addressing complex health challenges, especially in areas requiring advanced skills and resources.

Shadding the light of the journey of the camp the Head of Clinical Operations at the Aga Khan Health Service, Tanzania,Murtaza Mukhtar said the initiative was designed not only to conduct reconstructive surgeries but also to equip Tanzanian doctors with the skills and experience required to independently perform such procedures.

He added that the trilateral partnership has also expanded to include doctors from Bugando Medical Centre and Mnazi Mmoja Hospital (Zanzibar).

“Some Tanzanian general surgeons trained through the camps are now performing reconstructive surgeries independently, including in Zanzibar, marking a key milestone in local capacity development,” he added.

Dr Edwin Mrema, Head of Reconstructive and Plastic Surgery at MNH said currently Tanzania has a total of 13 specialist surgeons in reconstructive surgery, a milestone triggered through the collaboration

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He said the partnership has also led to the establishment of a training programme now being offered to medical students at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS), aimed at increasing the number of specialists and strengthening service delivery in the country.

“Our goal is to continue building a new generation of professionals with the ability to provide these services here in the country without relying on external support,” he said.

Reflecting on the partnership, Toni Zhong, the Co-Founder of the Reconstructive Women International (RWI) said what began as a targeted effort to improve clinical care has evolved to include strengthening health systems through capacity building, training of specialists, and professional development of theatre staff, nurses and anaesthesia teams.

She noted that the collaboration represents a model of care that integrates public and private sectors and could be replicated elsewhere.