Africa-Press – Tanzania. AUTHORITIES in Kagera region have acknowledged that an initiative by Bugando Medical Centre (BMC) to send specialist doctors to patients’ homes has helped many people.
This was due to the fact that many people could not afford travelling to the health facility for medical treatment. Mr Pius Ngeze, who is also the Board Chairman of Bukoba Referral Regional Hospital made the remarks yesterday while welcoming a team of specialist doctors who will attend to patients with various ailments for three consecutive days.
“On behalf of Bukoba Referral Regional Hospital and Kagera residents, I whole heartedly thank Bugando Medical Center for sending a team of specialist doctors. Many poor people were suffering for quite a long time while others died at home before reaching hospital due to lack of money. This is a golden opportunity which many patients should utilize,” he said.
Equally, he urged families to register themselves under the Community Health Fund (CHF), which was easily available after paying a mere 30,000/-.
The insurance could enable four family members to get medical treatment throughout the year. Dr Francis Tegete, a specialist doctor for Plastic Surgery and Consultancy (PSC), appealed to parents with children suffering from hydrocephalus and spina bifida, to take them to nearest health facilities for early treatment.
He explained that Hydrocephalus can permanently damage the brain, causing problems in physical and mental development.
“If untreated, it is usually fatal. With treatment, many people live normal lives with few limitations. Treatment usually involves surgery to insert a shunt,” he said.
According to Dr Tegete, hydrocephalus and spina bifida, separately or in combination, are serious impairments affecting between one and three infants per thousand in most parts of the world, often leading to death or severe life-long disabilities.
Medical Officer in-charge for Bukoba Referral Regional Hospital, Dr Mseleta Nyakiroto, noted that by yesterday about 345 patients had been registered to get medical treatment from the specialist team.
