Africa-Press – Tanzania. SHORTAGE of health sector workers countrywide currently stands at 45 per cent, the government has said.
Deputy Minister of State in the President’s Office, Regional Administration and Local government, Dr Festo Dugange told the Parliament yesterday that government is working around the clock to rectify the situation.
He said the situation is a result of the government’s commitment and efforts to increase health facilities countrywide.
“We have constructed a significant number of health centres, dispensaries; regional, zonal and referral hospitals thus resulted for the need of many health workers,” said Dr Dugange.
Dr Dugange said between May and June this year, the government has employed 6324 health workers `adding that more will be recruited when resources are available.
Dr Dugange gave the statistics when answering Ms Cecilia Phareso (Special Seats-Chadema) on the shortage of staff, medicines, medical equipment and reagents in the country, which are hindering the provision of quality health services.
Responding, the deputy minister said the government is committed to ensure availability of the medicines, medical equipment and all other services in health facilities at all levels.
Dr Dugange said they are aware of the drugs shortage and the government increases budget every financial year, saying by June 2021 the government disbursed 120bn/- to the Medical Stores Department (MSD) and this year 280bn/- has been reserved for the purpose.
In the main question, Mr Ally Makoa (Kondoa Urban-CCM) demanded the government’s commitment on the improvement of the health services infrastructures, which are dilapidated.
The Deputy Minister said the government is aware and plans are on board to renovate them. He said the government is aware of old and outdated hospital in some of the municipalities, Kondoa being amongst.
The government is going on with its plan for the ongoing construction of 102 hospitals, which are at different stages of which 28 are in district.
For the 2021/22 the government has set aside 14bn/- to start construction in the 28-district hospitals including that of the Kondoa Township.
