Tanzanian specialist care impresses Malawi envoys as they seek to learn from BMH

DODOMA: TANZANIA continues to cement its reputation as a regional hub for quality health services and medical tourism, with neighbouring countries increasingly seeking specialised treatment and training opportunities from the  East African nation.

Speaking during her visit to the Benjamin Mkapa Hospital (BMH) yesterday in Dodoma, Malawian  Minister for Health and Sanitation, Ms Madalitso Baloyi, said her country is keen to learn from Tanzania’s advanced health system and digital health innovations championed at BMH.

“I believe both of our countries can leverage one another and help each other serve our people better when it comes to service delivery,” she said.

Ms Baloyi noted that in December last year, Malawi hosted a delegation from BMH, a visit that exposed the country to specialised care offered at the hospital.

“It was wise for the Malawi government to come here and appreciate the services first-hand. We currently have a backlog of patients sent outside the country, including to India and other nations, which has increased costs and made management difficult,” she said.

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She added that Malawi is exploring ways to take advantage of the shorter distance to Tanzania by referring patients to BMH and other specialised facilities.

“I know we can reduce costs while ensuring our patients receive top-notch care, which we have already witnessed here,” she stated.

For his part, BMH Executive Director, Prof Abel Makubi, said the visit by Malawi’s health minister builds on the achievements of the hospital leadership’s mission to Malawi in December 2025.

“We laid a strong foundation for cooperation, identifying key areas such as provision of health services, capacity building for health workers, skills exchange, and promoting medical tourism in our region,” Prof Makubi said.

He noted that BMH is ready to support Malawi’s hospitals, particularly in sub-speciality training, and to treat patients in need of cardiac surgery, kidney transplants, and urology services.

“These patients can benefit from affordable and high-quality treatment at BMH, comparable to what they would receive in Europe and other developed countries,” he said.

Prof Makubi added that more than 4,000 foreign patients from neighbouring countries have received treatment at BMH since 2016, underscoring its growing role as a centre of excellence in specialised healthcare.