TIDI gets 20bn/- infrastracture boost
KILIMANJARO: THE Tanzania Infectious Diseases Institute (TIDI) has strengthened the country’s capacity to diagnose and manage infectious diseases following a government investment of more than 20bn/- in infrastructure and a modern laboratory.
Acting Director Dr Leonard Subi said the investment funded new infrastructure and laboratory equipment as the former Kibong’oto Infectious Diseases Hospital (KIDH) was upgraded to a national institute.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan approved the institution’s elevation to institute status this year, with the decision taking legal effect following its publication in the Government Gazette on July 24, 2026.
Dr Subi said the transformation marked the biggest change in the institution’s 100-year history.
He was speaking during a meeting between TIDI management and prominent elders in Siha District as part of celebrations marking the institution’s centenary.
“KIDH was established in 1926 as a sanatorium for holding and managing tuberculosis cases. Through her vision, President Samia Suluhu Hassan in 2022 signed and ratified the institutional structure of the specialised hospital, and implementation of the President’s decision started immediately,” he said.
Dr Subi said the government had allocated more than 20bn/- for construction and acquisition of equipment for the modern laboratory.
He said the centenary celebrations were aimed at showcasing the institution’s transformation in recent years and recognising its contribution to public health.
“Over the past 100 years, TIDI has touched the lives of hundreds of thousands of Tanzanians. In recognition of this anniversary, the management decided to organise a series of events for the public,” Dr Subi said.
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He said the celebrations began in February when Prime Minister Dr Mwigulu Nchemba laid the foundation stone for the institute’s administration building and would culminate in November.
“For 10 decades, TIDI has been at the heart of the Siha community, providing compassionate care and vital health services to generations of families,” he said.
Opening the meeting, Siha District Commissioner Dr Christopher Timbuka described TIDI’s elevation as a major milestone for the district, Kilimanjaro Region and the country’s health sector.
“This is a great achievement for Siha, Kilimanjaro Region and the health sector,” Dr Timbuka said.
He commended the institute’s leadership for involving community elders in the centenary celebrations, saying the initiative reflected the close relationship between the institution and the people it had served for generations.
