Residents of Tanzania's Lake Zone and neighboring regions are set to benefit from specialized medical services provided locally, reducing costs and challenges associated with traveling abroad for treatment. The initiative, announced by Dr. Fyumagwa Hassan, Executive Director of Tanlink Medical Tourism Agency, involves a specialized medical camp focusing on conditions affecting the head, brain, and spine. Conducted by Egyptian specialist doctors in collaboration with Royal Hospitals of Tanzania in Mwanza, the camp began and will run until October 2.
The medical camp aims to treat between 300 and 400 patients during the week, with plans to establish sustainable specialized services. This initiative supports the government's vision of promoting medical tourism in Tanzania and positioning the country as a regional hub for specialized medical services in East Africa. According to Dr. Hassan, Tanzanians will access medical care at more affordable costs, reducing the financial burden and logistical difficulties associated with seeking treatment abroad.
Dr. Hassan highlighted that some patients spend millions of shillings on travel and medical treatment overseas, despite similar services being available locally at lower costs. He cited an example where traveling to Egypt from Dar es Salaam costs 2.8 million shillings, while procedures performed in Tanzania can be 70 percent lower. For instance, treatments costing about 10 million shillings overseas can be performed at a substantially lower cost in Tanzania.
Royal Hospital Manager Dr. Adam Bahati emphasized that the facility has modern equipment and infrastructure to provide specialized care. The services will cover conditions affecting the nose, throat, back, head, and spine for both children and adults. The hospital is equipped with diagnostic facilities, including CT scanners and MRI machines, and its operating theatres are ready for patients requiring surgery.
Dr. Bahati added that the initiative supports the government's goal of providing quality healthcare, emphasizing that a healthy population is essential for building a productive workforce and nation. The collaboration between Tanzanian and Egyptian medical professionals aims to provide quality healthcare services to patients.
Specialist Dr. Mohamed Refaat from Andalusia Hospital in Egypt mentioned that his hospital has been collaborating with countries, including Tanzania, South Sudan, and Uganda, to perform surgeries and provide specialized treatment. This collaboration is part of efforts to support the government's goal of providing quality healthcare.
The initiative is expected to have a positive impact on the healthcare sector in Tanzania, providing patients with access to specialized medical services at affordable costs. The medical camp will cater to patients requiring specialized care, reducing the need for them to travel abroad for treatment.
Key points
- The medical camp will run until October 2 and aims to treat between 300 and 400 patients.
- The initiative supports the government's vision of promoting medical tourism in Tanzania.
- Treatments in Tanzania can cost up to 70 percent less than similar procedures abroad.
