The government of Tanzania has initiated the construction of a regional referral hospital and a college of health in Rufiji District, southern Coast Region. The project, valued at Sh17.35 billion, aims to provide specialist medical services closer to residents in the region. The existing Coast Regional Referral Hospital is located in Tumbi, Kibaha Region, which is far from Rufiji, Kibiti, Mkuranga, and Mafia, forcing residents to travel long distances for advanced treatment.
The new facility, named Samia Suluhu Hassan Regional Referral Hospital and Health College, will offer specialist services, including maternal and child health care, and house modern laboratory facilities, a blood service infrastructure, and a medicines store. The hospital and college will each cost Sh12.3 billion, according to ministry officials. Health Minister Mohamed Mchengerwa stated that the project will address one of the major challenges facing residents in these areas, which is accessing specialist care.
The hospital and college will not only serve residents of Rufiji, Kibiti, Mkuranga, and Mafia but also those from Lindi and Morogoro regions. The health college will train medical professionals, particularly in areas facing critical shortages, helping to address the shortage of health workers in Coast Region and the country. Mchengerwa emphasized that building the hospital and college together is crucial, as "a building without a professional is just a wall."
The project is linked to the growing economic importance of Rufiji, driven by the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project, Nyerere National Park, agriculture, fishing, and emerging industrial and investment activities. Increased economic activity will bring more workers, visitors, and investors, making improved health services essential. Mchengerwa noted that the Julius Nyerere dam provides electricity to the nation, and the hospital will protect the lives of those producing it.
Mchengerwa directed the contractor and consultant to complete the project on schedule and to the required engineering standards, warning against delays. He also directed the ministry, regional, and district authorities to ensure that funds allocated to the project are properly managed and provide value for money. Local residents should be given priority for jobs that do not require specialized skills during construction.
The minister urged residents to enroll in the government's Universal Health Insurance program, which will enable them to access services at the new facility without facing financial barriers once it becomes operational. He also highlighted the Talk to the Minister of Health service, which allows citizens to submit complaints, concerns, and suggestions about health services for follow-up. The government will closely monitor the project and will not tolerate misuse of funds or actions that could delay its completion.
Key points
- The project aims to reduce the distance patients need to travel to access specialist care.
- The facility will provide specialist services, including maternal and child health care, and house modern laboratory facilities.
- The project is valued at Sh17.35 billion and is expected to be completed on schedule.
