Africa-Press – Tanzania. TANZANIA is in the process of securing international medical accreditation, which would enable the country to realise its vision of becoming a major medical tourism hub after committing huge investments in specialised health facilities.
The Minister of Health, Social Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, Dr Dorothy Gwajima disclosed during the inauguration of the first of its kind Catheterisation Laboratory and Carto 3 System machines at the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI) yesterday in Dar es Salaam.
“The role of the ministry is to coordinate the process whereby a draft proposal has already been prepared to make Tanzania a centre of medical tourism.
We are tired of sending a lot of money abroad for medical treatment, we want other people to also come here to get treated,” said Dr Gwajima.
She pointed out that the ministry has directed efforts to ensure the country’s medical facilities receive the accreditation that would enable the country to realise its vision.
She, however, applauded JKCI for coming up with the idea and paving the way for other health facilities to follow the footsteps.
According to Dr Gwajima, the initiative will help to integrate the hospital testing systems and save patients from the hurdle of starting afresh treatment processes each time they visit such facilities.
Dr Gwajima said once the initiative is realised, patients from other countries will start flocking to the country and making it possible for the international health insurance to be accessed and used in the country.
“I am very confident that this matter will be put into practice and will probably place Tanzania on top of the radar… local experts will be able to transfer knowledge to other specialists,” she said.
Dr Gwajima added: “For a longtime the country has been sending its patients due to various challenges including lack of enough experts and machines.”
She said over 250bn/- has been saved by JKCI from sending patients with heart problems abroad.
Earlier, the Executive Director of Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute Prof Mohammed Janabi said JKCI is one of 25 countries worldwide that offer specialized heart services.
He said the inauguration of the new machines at the Institute give room for more patients to be attended, pointing out that the availability of such specialized machines has placed JKCI at the radar and now the institute has been receiving patients from countries including Comoro, USA, Egypt, and Zambia.
Other countries include Ethiopia, Greece, Malawi, Rwanda, Burundi and South Africa. Prof Janabi hinted at some of the achievements as saving the lives of 444,848 Tanzanians.
JKCI currently has 319 staff which is equivalent to 80 per cent of the 399 demand. Females constitute 61 per cent and 39 per cent are males.
