Africa-Press – Tanzania. THE Dodoma-based Benjamin Mkapa Hospital (BMH) marks its 6th anniversary as a living health facility, which has marched hand in hand with the country’s growth and development over the past six years.
The Hospital’s Head of Communication and Public Relations, Mr Jeremiah Mbwambo, noted on Tuesday that the public hospital has registered a number of achievements within the short time of its existence.
“BMH had become the second hospital in the country to perform kidney transplant and it remains the country’s only hospital to perform the kidney transplant by using its own local medics,” he said.
Mr Mbwambo pointed out that earlier this month, the Southern African Development Community Accreditation Service (SADCAS) granted accreditation to the Benjamin Mkapa Hospital’s laboratory with number MED 070.
“Our medical test results are now recognised internationally and they can be used by any hospital across the world because of the accreditation we received from SADCAS,” he said.
Named after the country’s third President, the Benjamin Mkapa Hospital (BMH) was launched by fourth phase President Jakaya Kikwete on October 13, 2015 and three years later, it introduced kidney transplant medical service under the auspices of Japan-based Tokushukai Medical Group.
“The idea was to establish the hospital which will become a centre of excellence for kidney medication,” said former Head of State, Dr Jakaya Kikwete, when he visited the public hospital recently.
According to the former statesman, the government came up with the idea to establish such a hospital in the country because people had to travel all the way to a neighbouring country just to get kidney medication.
“While the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI) was established to be a centre of excellence in cardiac medication, the Benjamin Mkapa Hospital (BMH) was established to be a centre of excellence in kidney medication,” said Dr Kikwete.
