The East African Community is considering establishing a single medical database to be shared among hospitals and health centers across its eight member states. This proposal was made by members of the East Africa Legislative Assembly during their ongoing ordinary sessions in Tanzania. The database aims to speed up referral health services for patients from one country seeking treatment in another.
The East Africa Legislative Assembly members were discussing a report on the performance of the East African Community Regional Centers of Excellence. These centers include the Center for Vaccines, Immunization and Health Supply Chain Management in Rwanda and the Cardiovascular Health Services at Muhimbili College of Health Science. The report was presented by Dr. Abdullah Hasnu Makame, a Tanzanian legislator.
To strengthen the East African Community Centers of Excellence, the EAC is constructing a special training facility for cardiovascular treatment at the Muhimbili Institute of Allied Health Sciences in Mloganzila. This facility has been operating under the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI) in Dar-es-Salaam, which is a leading institution for cardiovascular medicine in East and Central Africa.
Regional legislators believe that East African centers of excellence should be the ultimate referral medical institutions not only in the region but also across the African continent. This will enable patients to access quality medical care within the region, reducing the need to travel abroad for treatment.
Dr. Aisha Nyiramana, a legislator from Rwanda, noted that these institutions will help reduce the costs of treatment for local East African nationals who previously traveled long distances to seek medical treatment abroad, including in India and European countries.
During the ongoing sessions, East African legislators also passed a motion urging the council of ministers and partner states to strengthen the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care of hemophilia and other inherited bleeding disorders in East Africa. This move aims to improve healthcare services for patients with these conditions.
The proposed single medical database and the strengthening of East African Community Centers of Excellence are part of efforts to enhance healthcare services in the region. By improving healthcare infrastructure and services, the East African Community aims to provide quality medical care to its citizens and reduce the need for referrals abroad.
Key points
- East African lawmakers propose a shared medical database to enhance healthcare services across the region.
- The East African Community is strengthening its Centers of Excellence to provide quality medical care to its citizens.
- The proposed changes aim to reduce the need for referrals abroad and improve healthcare services in the region.
