Singida expands health network to 369 facilities

SINGIDA: SINGIDA Region has expanded its health network by 149 facilities over the past five years, increasing the total from 220 in 2021 to 369, in a move that has brought healthcare services closer to communities.

Singida Regional Medical Officer, Dr Jesca Lebba said yesterday the expansion, driven by sustained government investment in infrastructure, medical equipment and health workers, has enabled nearly 80 per cent of residents to access healthcare services within a five-kilometre radius.

She said the region now has 14 district hospitals, three regional-level hospitals including one government-owned referral hospital and two privately owned facilities along with 256 dispensaries, 15 private clinics and 42 laboratories.

“Our goal is to ensure that no resident of Singida is forced to travel long distances to obtain healthcare services that can be provided within the region,” Dr Lebba said.

She said the expanded network has reduced the need for patients to travel outside the region for specialised treatment, surgery and maternal healthcare.

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Dr Lebba said the government has also strengthened the availability of medicines and medical supplies while addressing shortages of health workers, ageing infrastructure and inadequate medical equipment through collaboration with various stakeholders.

She said efforts are also being intensified to improve maternal and child healthcare, alongside programmes to prevent, diagnose and treat communicable and non-communicable diseases, including malaria, tuberculosis and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

According to Dr Lebba, the improvements have reduced the time and cost residents spend seeking treatment, while continued investment in specialised personnel, modern equipment and health infrastructure remains essential.

She encouraged residents to enrol in health insurance schemes to make full use of the improved services and reduce treatment costs.

Dr Lebba said the region aims to establish a modern healthcare system capable of providing safe, timely and high-quality services to residents of Singida and the wider Central Zone within the next three to five years.