Rufiji health projects get 17bn/- investment

RUFIJI: THE government has launched construction of a Regional Referral Hospital and the Samia Suluhu Hassan Health College in Rufiji District, Coast Region, in a combined investment of more than 17bn/-.

The investment aims at bringing specialised healthcare and medical training closer to residents.

The hospital is valued at 12bn/- while the health college will cost more than 5bn/-. Launching the projects yesterday in Rufiji, Minister for Health, Mr Mohamed Mchengerwa said the facilities would expand access to specialised and super-specialised medical services in the region and reduce challenges caused by long distances to referral facilities.

He said the hospital was particularly important because of Rufiji’s challenging geography, including the Rufiji River Basin, which can make access to specialised treatment difficult, especially during floods and other extreme weather events.

“For a pregnant woman facing complications, a child with severe malaria or an accident victim, distance is not just a number. It can mean the difference between life and death,” Mr Mchengerwa said.

He said the existing Regional Referral Hospital is located at Tumbi in Kibaha, in the northern part of the region, meaning residents of Rufiji, Kibiti, Mafia and neighbouring Kilwa may travel more than 300 kilometres to access specialised medical services.

The new hospital will serve residents of Rufiji, Kibiti, Mafia, Mkuranga and neighbouring Kilwa, as well as people from nearby areas of Lindi and Morogoro.

Mr Mchengerwa said the facility would provide specialised services supported by modern equipment, laboratories, safe blood services and improved maternal and child healthcare.

He said the establishment of the health college alongside the hospital would also help address shortages of skilled health professionals in the country.

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“A hospital without health professionals is just a building. That is why we are building the hospital and the college together,” he said.

Mr Mchengerwa linked the investment to Rufiji’s growing economic importance, citing the 2,115-megawatt Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project, Nyerere National Park and emerging opportunities in agriculture, fisheries, tourism and industrial development.

“Julius Nyerere Dam is powering the nation, this hospital will protect the lives of the people powering that development,” he said.

He directed contractors and consultants to complete the projects on time and meet the required engineering standards.

The minister also urged authorities to ensure prudent use of public funds and prioritise employment opportunities for local residents during construction.

Coast Regional Commissioner, Mr Stanslaus Nyongo welcomed the projects and pledged to ensure their timely completion.

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