Kuwaiti delegation explores needs of hospitals in Tanzania, Zanzibar

KUWAIT, Dec 4 (KUNA) -- A delegation of the Kuwait-based Patients Helping Fund Society has concluded a visit to the Republic of Tanzania and semi-autonomous region of Zanzibar to get first-hand information about their needs to improve health services in central African country.
Over a week, the PHFS's delegation has toured a several hospitals and medical institutions in Tanzania and Zanzibar to assess their real needs of medical supplies and equipment, Kuwait Ambassador to Tanzania Jassem Al-Najem said in a press statement sent to KUNA Sunday.
He added that the PHFS would consider supplying several of the visited institutions with their needs to help them upgrade services offered to patients.
Al-Najem noted that the PHFS also may help these institutions organize awareness campaigns to counter the spread of the diseases and to urge people to donate blood.
The PHFS delegation, which included director of the foreign projects department at the PHFS Khaled Al-Hendi and Dr. Berjes Al-Mutairi, has concluded its visit with a meeting with Tanzanian Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa.
During the meeting, Premier Majaliwa expressed gratitude for Kuwaiti leadership and people, and to the PHFS for their cooperation with and support to Tanzania in various domains, particularly the health sector.
For his part, Al-Hendi of the PHFS pointed out that the delegation has visited the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI) and Muhimbili hospital in the capital Dar es Salaam, the main blood bank in the country, Mnazi Mmoja Hospital in Zanzibar and several other hospitals and medical institutions.
Based on the initial assessment, Al-Hendi noted that the PHFS could contribute to the foundation of a blood bank at Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute, and supply Muhmimbili hospital's the orthopedics department, the country's main blood bank and other hospitals with their needs of sophisticated equipment.
Meanwhile, the Kuwaiti embassy has distributed an amount of medical supplies, including medicine and equipment, to the visited hospitals and medical institutions.
The Kuwaiti government and civil society organizations have been intensifying their support to the health sector in Tanzania and Zanzibar in the past years.
A delegation from Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) will visit Zanzibar this month to agree on the legal, and financial aspects of agreement to finance the expansion of Mnazi Mmoja Hospital.
The Kuwaiti government's foreign aid committee has pledged to finance the building and equipping of a new operation room to the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI). (end) tma.ibi