Africa-Press – Tanzania. ACCESS to quality healthcare remains a fundamental human right, yet for many Tanzanians living in remote and underserved areas, it is still a distant dream.
While the government of Tanzania, under the visionary leadership of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, continues to make commendable strides in expanding healthcare infrastructure, including the construction of new hospitals and improvement of health services nationwide, there remains a persistent gap in reaching every citizen, especially those in rural communities.
Bridging this gap calls for collaborative efforts between the government and other stakeholders. One such vital partner is the non-governmental organisation Empower Society, Build the Nation (ESBN).
Committed to advancing public health and supporting national development goals, ESBN has launched targeted interventions to bring medical relief to regions where healthcare remains difficult to access.
Recently, the residents of Uvinza District in Kigoma Region experienced firsthand the impact of such initiatives, thanks to a week-long free medical camp organised by ESBN in collaboration with local government authorities.
The outreach program offered a wide range of healthcare services, from general medical consultations and screenings to specialised treatments, all free of charge.
For many villagers, it was their first opportunity in months, or even years, to receive medical attention from a qualified health professional.
During the camp’s closing ceremony, Uvinza District Commissioner Dinnah Mathamani applauded the initiative, saying that the medical camp not only brought services closer to the people but also reduced the financial burden on families already grappling with economic challenges.
“This initiative has brought vital services to the people who need them most. It complements the government’s efforts to ensure every citizen, regardless of location, can access health services,” DC Mathamani remarked.
For residents like Robinson Bakayemba, the camp was a lifeline. “I received checkups and consultations without paying a single shilling,” he said, adding that these services should continue, especially for people like them who cannot afford treatment in town.
His sentiments were echoed by Zuhura Chubwa, a mother of three from Kashakari village, who described how the camp saved her from making a costly 20-kilometre journey to the nearest hospital, a trip she could not afford.
“The arrival of these doctors here in our village enabled us to receive treatment nearby. It saved us time, money and physical effort,” she said.
Another resident, Juma Makongo, stressed the need for regular health camps, arguing that many locals delay or forgo treatment due to the high costs and long distances involved.
“For families that live hand-to-mouth, even minor health issues can become major problems when they are ignored for too long,” he noted.
These testimonies highlight the practical challenges rural communities face daily, and the life-changing value of such outreach efforts.
The camp served over 700 patients in just four days, offering services that included general medicine, maternal and child health, eye care, dental checkups and laboratory testing.
In addition to medical treatment, the camp ran a voluntary blood donation drive, which saw enthusiastic participation from the community.
In total, 44 litres of safe blood were collected, a critical contribution to regional blood banks that frequently experience shortages, especially during emergencies.
“The willingness of residents to donate blood was inspiring,” said Goodluck Joseph, ESBN’s Head of Communications, saying it reflects a strong sense of community and shared responsibility.
Local health officials lauded the donation exercise, noting that the collected blood will benefit not only district hospitals but also larger referral centers in the region, particularly for emergency obstetric care and accident-related surgeries.
Many donors said they were moved to participate out of empathy and a sense of civic duty.
“I donated blood because I know how important it is for mothers giving birth or for people in accidents. It’s a small thing that can save a life,” said 26-year-old Amina Salum, a local volunteer.
Isiaka Mwinyimkuu, ESBN’s Coordinator and a research officer, said the Kigoma outreach was the organisation’s second medical camp this year, following a successful one in Lushoto, Tanga Region.
He affirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting Tanzania’s national development agenda, particularly in health.
“We are aligned with Tanzania’s Development Vision 2050, which seeks to uplift the country’s socio-economic status by prioritising sectors like healthcare,” he explained.
Vision 2050 builds upon the gains made under the earlier Vision 2025 and outlines ambitious goals to strengthen healthcare systems, ensure universal health coverage and enhance service delivery at all levels.
Mwinyimkuu stressed that improving health outcomes is essential for achieving sustainable economic growth. He also noted that the development of Vision 2050 is being shaped with the input of various stakeholders, including NGOs like ESBN who are on the ground implementing community-level interventions.
“Our health camps are one way we contribute meaningfully to this long-term vision. By serving the most vulnerable populations, we’re helping to build a healthier, more resilient nation,” he said.
Commissioner Mathamani emphasised that such medical camps are in line with President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s broader healthcare reform strategy, which aims to reach even the most isolated regions of the country.
“These camps reflect the government’s commitment to inclusive healthcare delivery. But they also show what is possible when government and non-government actors work together,” she said.
She called on other development partners, corporate bodies and NGOs to follow ESBN’s example and invest in similar outreach programs, especially in remote areas where access remains limited.
“We must all contribute to building a nation where no one is left behind when it comes to health,” she concluded.
As the medical camp concluded, it left a lasting impression, not just through the hundreds of patients treated or the blood units donated, but in the renewed hope and dignity it restored in the lives of Kigoma Medical camp brings relief to Kigoma residents residents.
Beyond providing immediate relief, ESBN’s initiative has served as a model for how health services can be effectively delivered to marginalized communities through public-private partnerships.
It also underscores the importance of local engagement and volunteerism in addressing public health challenges.
For families like the Bakayembas, Chubwas, and Makongos of Uvinza, this was more than a temporary clinic, it was a rare opportunity to be seen, heard, and cared for. And for Tanzania, it is yet another step toward a future where equitable healthcare is not just a goal, but a reality for all.
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