Dar es Salaam, Tanzania 8th November 2023. The Aga Khan Health Service, Tanzania (AKHS, T) has delivered two (2) fully equipped mobile clinics valued at TZS 618,477,000 (242,540 USD) to the Ministry of Health, aiming to support Tanzania’s primary health care agenda by enhancing healthcare access for underserved and remote communities. These mobile clinics will play a pivotal role in addressing health disparities, particularly in areas with limited access to medical services. The handover of mobile clinics is a part of the initiatives under the Aga Khan COVID-19 Vaccination Project, funded by the German Government through Germany Development Bank (KFW) in collaboration with AKHS, T and the Government of Tanzania.
These mobile clinics are outfitted with cutting-edge medical equipment, and the staff will receive training from highly skilled medical professionals. The clinics will serve as platforms for providing educational sessions, general consultations, immunization services, early screening for non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and nutrition monitoring for children. Individuals with health concerns will be referred to the nearest healthcare facilities for further assessments and treatment.
The handover ceremony was officiated by the Minister of Health (MoH), Hon. Ummy Mwalimu, in the presence of Hon. Mohamed Mchengerwa, Minister, President’s Office, Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG), as well as representatives from the MoH and PO-RALG. The ceremony was also witnessed by Jennifer Woerl, Country Director of the Germany Development Bank in Tanzania.
Speaking during the event, Hon. Ummy Mwalimu, Minister of Health, said, “The Government, through the Ministry of Health, is very excited to receive these mobile clinics from our local partners and donors today. These mobile clinics are designed to provide multi-disciplinary medical services to vulnerable populations, thus advancing the government priority of strengthening primary health care systems in isolated areas. The 6th administration under the leadership of President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan is significantly investing in improving access to quality services at primary and secondary-level health facilities, to reduce the burden of chronic disease in the country, specifically NCDs. This project, carried out with financial support from the Germany Development Bank (KFW), also highlights the importance of innovating projects that are adapted to both local constraints and needs. AKHS, T’s partnership initiatives have been a strong instrument in their efforts to enhance the continuum of care. I applaud them for the great ongoing work.”
Hon. Mohamed Mchengerwa, Minister, PO-RALG, emphasized the importance of making health services accessible to all: “Through these mobile clinics, the President Office Regional Administration and Local Government is supporting disease prevention, such as through immunizations and NCD screening. By being proactive, PO-RALG is helping to build a healthy population and thus enhance productivity and economic development in Tanzania in the long run.”
Dr. Zeenat Sulaiman, Regional Chief Executive Officer, Aga Khan Health Services, East Africa, stated that ‘‘One of AKHS, T’s strategic objectives is to continuously improve its service delivery system. In response to this, the Aga Khan COVID-19 Vaccination Project was born. Through the project, AKHS, T has demonstrated its commitment to reducing the disproportionate burden of disease in rural and hard-to-reach populations, thus advancing the country’s primary health care agenda.’’
About Aga Khan Health Service, Tanzania
Aga Khan Health Service, Tanzania (AKHS, T) is one of the three agencies of Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) that support activities in health. AKHS, T is a private, not-for-profit organization with an integrated health system approach across Tanzania with strong linkages and partnerships with the government of Tanzania through Ministry of Health and other relevant national and international stakeholders. It is comprised of two (2) hospitals in Mwanza and Dar es Salaam and 27 Outreach Health Centres (OHCs) across 13 regions of mainland Tanzania and one facility in Zanzibar Island.
About KFW Development Bank
KFW is one of the world’s leading and most experienced promotional banks. Established as a public law institution in 1948, the German Federal Government has an 80% stake, and the German federal states have a 20% stake in the bank.
KFW Development Bank carries out Financial Cooperation (FC) projects with developing countries on behalf of the German Federal Government. The over 400 experts in 68 regional offices cooperate with partners all over the world. The principal objective is to combat poverty, secure peace, protect the environment and the climate as well as ensure fair globalisation. KFW is a competent and strategic adviser for current development policy issues.
Media contacts:
Olayce S. Lotha
olayce.lotha@akhst.org
+255 717 516 650
Theresia E. Mohere
theresia.mohere@akhst.org
+255 629 276 848
Website: https://www.agakhanhospitals.org/daressalaam