TASAF project sparks healthcare progress in Chamwino

DODOMA: THE Tanzania Social Action Fund (TASAF) has demonstrated a significant contribution to improving healthcare services in the Chamwino District Council, Dodoma by facilitating the construction of a Health Centre at Msamalo Village.

The move has brought health care service closer to the villagers who in the past had to walk a long way and at high cost to access the service.

Residents explained that although the facility has been a major relief, the lack of surgical services and a maternal and child ward still forces them to travel long distances to district and referral hospitals. This increases both the cost and time required to receive medical care.

The Chairperson of Mgunga Village, Mr Simon Masagasi said that the construction of the facility marks an important step in improving community health, but emphasised the urgent need to complete the remaining infrastructure so that the centre can provide all essential services to residents and nearby villages.

He added that before the facility was built, residents, especially pregnant women, had to travel long distances, often using unsafe means of transport, putting their lives at risk.

One of the villagers, Ms Mary Sabugo, noted that access to healthcare was previously even more difficult, as they had to travel far even for minor health issues, causing delays in treatment and increasing risks for patients.

The facility’s Medical Officer in Charge, Dr Rebecca Kitundu, said they serve more than 16,000 residents from Msamalo, Ikoa and Igandu wards. She emphasised that expanding services requires stronger infrastructure to meet the growing demand.

She explained that completing the surgical and maternal and child health buildings would help reduce patient congestion and minimise unnecessary referrals to distant hospitals.

“We appreciate the progress achieved through TASAF, but we still urge the government and development partners to ensure that the remaining infrastructure is completed so that services can be improved further,” said Dr Kitundu.

Speaking on behalf of the TASAF Executive Director, the Acting Director of Internal Audit, Mr Uswege Edward, commended the government for its cooperation in implementing development projects through TASAF, noting that it has brought positive changes across various sectors, including health.