Africa-Press – Tanzania. THE government has instructed the regional and district medical officers to ensure smooth and full implementation of policy and guidelines on free medical treatment to children under five and pregnant mothers.
Deputy Minister for Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, Dr Godwin Mollel told the Parliament that despite the fact of having in place free medical treatment to special groups, in some areas it is not fully implemented by the relevant authorities.
He said regional, district and health centre boards must ensure those who qualify for the free medical treatment get the services for the betterment of their health. Dr Mollel was answering a question posed by Ms Regina Qwaray (Special Seats –CCM), who wanted to know the effectiveness of free medical treatment policy to pregnant women and children under the age of five in public health centres.
“There have been complaints arising when children under-five and pregnant mothers are being billed to pay for the services, which are otherwise supposed to be offered for free in public health facilities,” said Dr Mollel.
He used the platform to remind the Regional Commissioners, Regional Administration Secretaries (RAS) and District Executive Directors (DED) of their obligations to ensure smooth implementation of the policies and guidelines.
The government said it will continue to give priority on issuing maternal and infant health services.
Last week, the Minister for Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, Dr Dorothy Gwajima expressed the government’s commitment to upgrade services and level of professionalism in primary healthcare, making Tanzania a par above the rest in the region in that health category.
Currently, she said, major surgeries are conducted in health centres spread throughout the country, a feat that has reduced referrals and saved many lives, especially of pregnant women.
“The fact that major surgeries are conducted in health centres is evidence of increased efforts by the government to recruit and train healthcare professionals to offer primary healthcare,” Dr Gwajima said.
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