by Ben Taylor

President Kikwete confirms commitment to “super-hospital”
PRESIDENT Kikwete has affirmed the government’s intention to part­ner with an Indian hospital, Apollo, to set up a medical centre in Dar es Salaam. This is intended to cater for over 100,000 Tanzanians who travel abroad annually in search of treatment for chronic diseases.

President Kikwete, said the government, through the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), has entered into a deal with Apollo Hospital for the establishment of the centre that will serve primarily those that require surgery.

“With collaboration from the Tanzanian government we are ready to set up the centre and we believe that it is very crucial for the country in the fight against non-communicable diseases with assurance of thorough health services to citizens,” said the Chief Executive Officer of Apollo Hospital, Mr Sangita Reddy.

22 million nets
The government, together with USAID and various anti-malaria organi­zations, has launched a 12-month nationwide campaign to distribute over 22 million long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito nets.

Miriam Lutz of USAID said after increasing awareness and the use of pesticide nets, malaria infections have been reduced by 50%. Partly as a result of such anti-malaria initiatives, there has been a 28% reduction in mortality rates among children under five.

Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Said Meck Sadiki said at the launch that each household registered to receive long-lasting insecti­cide-treated mosquito will be given it free of charge.