THE US-based Adventures in Health, Education and Agricultural Development (AHEAD Inc) has pledged to continue supporting Tanzanian government in various sectors, including education and health to realise the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
AHEAD Inc (diaspora) Executive Director, Dr Apolinary Ngirwa, made the remarks on Wednesday when handing over various health equipment worth 86m/- to Bukoba District Council’s Maruku Health Centre.
The donation of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), include 2,000 protective face shields, 31,200 boxes of gloves and 2,400 surgical gowns.
“The funding was due to the generosity of friends of AHEAD Inc and individual citizens from the US, who upon receiving the news that Tanzania was combating the Marburg Virus Disease (MVD), and that one of the nurses had succumbed to it, they rallied into action with generous monetary donations,” he said.
Adding….”AHEAD Inc stands side by side with our partners in Kagera region as we continue with our commitment to improving healthcare in the villages and in Tanzania as a whole.”
Elaborating, Dr Ngirwa said AHEAD Inc recently brought a team of 27 volunteers, nurses from New York State Nurses’ Association (NYSNA), physicians and dentists who conducted a two-day medical camp where they diagnosed and treated over 700 patients free of charge.
A few months ago, AHEAD Inc Tanzania in collaboration with AHEAD Inc (diaspora), also donated equipment worth 214.4m/- including a sonogram machine with printer, a universal anaesthesia and a ultrasound machine.
Other equipment included a blood bank refrigerator, a refrigerator for pharmaceutical materials, a screen folding with curtains and blood grouping reagents kits.
Receiving the donation, Bukoba District Medical Officer (DMO), Dr Bandioti Gavyole said the PPE will help in protecting healthcare providers and give them confidence as they provide services to the patients.
“On behalf of the government, I thank AHEAD Inc Tanzania and the diaspora for supporting the government efforts in improving education and health services. The Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will help us in protecting our healthcare providers and give them confidence as they provide services to our patients,” she said.
Out of the nine Marburg cases recorded, six patients died including a worker of the Ministry of Health and a one-and-half year old child, while three other patients were fully recovered including Dr Mahona Ndulu, who gave testimony how he survived the pandemic.