TFS donates 896 pieces of wood to Meru District Hospital

ARUSHA: TANZANIA Forest Services Agency (TFS) has donated 896 pieces of wood worth 10m/- to  Arumeru District for improving the furniture infrastructure at Meru District Hospital.

Speaking during the handover ceremony at the hospital, Arumeru District Commissioner, Mwinyi Ahmed Mwinyi, said the assistance supports the efforts of the Tanzanian government to improve health services for the Tanzanian citizens.

“Today, we have witnessed TFS supporting us in action, by bringing us this important wooden aid that will help solve the 70 percent challenge of the shortage of furniture in the hospital.

He added, “This is a major step in fulfilling the government’s goal of ensuring access to quality health services for the citizens.”

He noted that the aid is going to add value to the major investment that has already been made in the hospital, where more than 900m/-was provided by the central government.

“The funds were provided for the construction and improvement of various buildings in the hospital, including the outpatient department (OPD).

He listed other improvements as a medicine depot, laboratory, waste incineration building, as well as the purchase of a modern hospital waste incineration machine.

“It is our responsibility as leaders to ensure that these timbers are used for their intended purpose.

He has also instructed health and council leaders to assess the costs of making the furniture needed using the timbers, where the district is ready to contribute the remaining 30 percent, so that we can achieve 100 percent success.

For his part, the Executive Director of Meru District Council, Zainabu Makwinya, thanked TFS for responding to the hospital’s request and explained that the assistance will help fully address the furniture shortage that was still facing despite the completion of the buildings.

“I thank the Central Government for providing us with more than 900m/-, which was used well and with great integrity. The buildings have been completed, and now, through this TFS support, our hospital will be 100 percent complete,” said Makwinya.

Speaking on behalf of TFS, the Chief Conservator of the Meru/Usa Tree Farm, Ali Maggid, said the support is part of the farm’s budget implementation aimed at supporting the communities surrounding the farm.

“Our tree farm covers an area of 8,170 hectares and is surrounded by 32 villages. We have put in place a system to support community projects every year.

“This year, we have decided to support the Meru District Hospital by fulfilling the promise we made due to the furniture challenge that was facing this hospital,” said Maggid.

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The Chief Medical Officer of Arumeru District Hospital, Dr. Fabian Weslous, explained that the timber will help make various furniture, including tables, chairs, benches, and pallets for storing medicines. This move will raise the hospital’s status to meet the standards of district hospitals.