Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, 16th February 2024. The Improving Emergency Care in Tanzania (IMECT) project is a public-private partnership funded by the Polish Government through Polish Aid and implemented by the Polish Center for International Aid and Aga Khan Health Services Tanzania (AKHS, T), in close collaboration with the Government of Tanzania. Under the auspices of the IMECT project, AKHS, T held a landmark ceremony to mark the opening of the first state-of-the-art emergency training center and the official handover of vital emergency medical equipment.
Since the launch of the project in September 2022, the IMECT project has exemplified the power of international cooperation with its Polish partners and public-private partnerships in addressing critical healthcare needs. By training Tanzanian healthcare professionals in emergency care courses and equipping facilities with necessary tools, the project aims to make sustainable improvements to emergency care standards and ensure that Tanzanian healthcare professionals are well-equipped to save lives and provide critical care when it matters most.
This momentous event was officiated by the Regional Commissioner of Dar-es-Salaam, Mr. Albert Chalamila, serving as the chief guest, and was graced by the esteemed presence of the Ambassador of Poland to Tanzania, Mr. Krzysztof Buzalski, Chairman of the board of AKHS, T, Mr. Amin Habib, and the Regional Medical Officer of Dar-es-Salaam, Dr. Mohamed Mang’una. This gathering celebrated both the inauguration of the training center and the handover of emergency equipment to all participating facilities.
Constructed and renovated with an investment of approximately 71,000 US dollars (equivalent to 182 million Tanzanian shillings), the training center stands as a beacon of progress in emergency medical training. It is equipped with advanced training gear and emergency equipment, setting a new benchmark for emergency care education in Tanzania.
In a significant boost to the nation’s healthcare infrastructure, the IMECT project has distributed equipment valued at TZS 641,300,009 million (approximately USD 275,000) to seven health care facilities including Mwananyamala and Temeke Regional Referral Hospitals, Chanika District Hospital and Nyamagana District hospital in Mwanza, as well as the Tanzania-Poland Emergency Medical Training Centre, Aga Khan Hospital, Dar es Salaam (AKH, D), Aga Khan Polyclinic, Old Dispensary, Zanzibar, and other Polyclinics. This substantial contribution underscores the commitment of all stakeholders to improving the quality and accessibility of emergency services.
“The inauguration of this training center and the handover of essential medical equipment represent a monumental leap in our collective efforts to enhance emergency medical services in Tanzania,” stated Mr. Albert Chalamila. “We are profoundly grateful for the support of the Polish Government, the Polish Center for International Aid, Aga Khan Health Services Tanzania, and all our partners in this visionary project.”
About Aga Khan Health Services:
Aga Khan Health Services (AKHS) is one of three agencies of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) that supports activities in health care, together with the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) and the Aga Khan University (AKU). Working to address today’s greatest health challenges in low-and-middle-income countries, the three agencies of the AKDN provide high-quality, equitable healthcare to over eight million people annually and work closely on planning, training, and resource development. Operating under the Aga Khan Development Network, Aga Khan Health Service in Tanzania has experienced substantial growth over a span of nine decades, serving as a compelling testament to our dedication to healthcare and development within the nation. Presently, AKHS facilities are renowned for their adherence to ethical standards, innovative approaches, and the delivery of top-notch, safe and evidence-based healthcare services. Our hub and spokes model, with one hospital here in Dar es Salaam, a medical centre in Mwanza and 26 outreach centres across 14 regions of the country, has enabled our institutions to increase access to affordable quality health services, as well as to work closely with the government and other partners across the health spectrum.
About Polish Center for International Aid (PCPM)
Polish Center for International Aid (PCPM) is the largest non-governmental organization in Poland working in development cooperation, one of the largest in Poland delivering humanitarian assistance and medical aid, and main NGO implementing partner to Polish Aid (donor arm of Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs). PCPM was established in 2006 and since then has implemented projects in Lebanon, Ukraine, Nepal, Peru, South Sudan, Uganda, Tajikistan, Palestine, Georgia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Zambia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iraq, Burkina Faso and Tanzania. Over the course of the last 10 years PCPM implemented over 140 programs with a combined value of over €100 million, funded by the Polish government, UN Agencies (WFP, UNHCR, UNICEF, IOM, WHO, UN-Habitat) and the European Commission (DG ECHO, DG NEAR). It directs its actions to those who need it the most – victims of humanitarian crises and most vulnerable communities around the world. PCPM is the only non-governmental organization in Poland that also has an Emergency Medical Team certified by World Health Organization (WHO). It provides rapid response emergency assistance and can be deployed within 24 hours to bring medical care to victims of natural disasters or humanitarian emergencies.
Media contacts:
Davies W. Nyari
davies.nyari@akhst.org
+255 688 263 695