Well-wishers see off Dr Mvungi who is being flown to South Africa for treatment. (photo: File/The Citizen)
It has
become the norm for the affluent and the members of ruling class
diagnosed as seriously sick – and at times, just sick – to be flown
abroad for treatment.
Though even in other countries around the world “exporting patients” to foreign-based hospital is common, the rate at which this trend is going on in Tanzania cast serious doubt on the efficacy the country’s national and referral hospitals.
To the rich and prominent politicians, the Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) is just a ‘waiting lounge’, where they are made
Though even in other countries around the world “exporting patients” to foreign-based hospital is common, the rate at which this trend is going on in Tanzania cast serious doubt on the efficacy the country’s national and referral hospitals.
To the rich and prominent politicians, the Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) is just a ‘waiting lounge’, where they are made
to stay for a while before they are flown out in commercial or chattered planes.
From government executives, influential politicians to prominent businesspeople, religious leaders to journalists – it is about being rushed outside the country to seek “specialized medical treatment.”
The latest case involved the Constitution Review Commission Member, Dr Sengondo Mvungi, who was flown to South Africa last week, after spending five days at MNH’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) without any progress.
But for the poor who can’t afford a chartered plane or even a two-way ticket to South Africa or India, their fate is to die at some local hospital.
Bogged down by poorly paid doctors and nurses, often demoralised by poor working environment especially in public hospitals, acute shortage of skilled doctors and lack of modern medical equipment, the state of Tanzania’s major public hospitals is calling for an overhaul, according the survey conducted by The Citizen.
With well-trained doctors leaving the country in search of greener pastures in countries like South Africa, Canada, USA and United Kingdom, the conditions of our public hospital pose a serious threat to the country’s entire health system.
In an interview to The Citizen the Chief Medical Officer Dr Donan Mmbando, said acute shortage of modern medical equipments plus shortage of skilled personnel in health sector, were among the factors that have been fuelling the trend to refer patients to foreign based hospitals.
Dr Mbando added there is an ongoing project to construct a cardiovascular centre at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH); once it starts delivering service, the rate of sending patients to India for heart surgeries will be reduced:
“We are trying to cut down trips abroad for treatment and we already have started with outpatient’s department (OPD) for cardiovascular cases,” he noted.
He also hinted that the construction of the Muhimbili Orthopedic Institute (MOI) Phase III will provide brain operations, which are all referred abroad currently.
From government executives, influential politicians to prominent businesspeople, religious leaders to journalists – it is about being rushed outside the country to seek “specialized medical treatment.”
The latest case involved the Constitution Review Commission Member, Dr Sengondo Mvungi, who was flown to South Africa last week, after spending five days at MNH’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) without any progress.
But for the poor who can’t afford a chartered plane or even a two-way ticket to South Africa or India, their fate is to die at some local hospital.
Bogged down by poorly paid doctors and nurses, often demoralised by poor working environment especially in public hospitals, acute shortage of skilled doctors and lack of modern medical equipment, the state of Tanzania’s major public hospitals is calling for an overhaul, according the survey conducted by The Citizen.
With well-trained doctors leaving the country in search of greener pastures in countries like South Africa, Canada, USA and United Kingdom, the conditions of our public hospital pose a serious threat to the country’s entire health system.
In an interview to The Citizen the Chief Medical Officer Dr Donan Mmbando, said acute shortage of modern medical equipments plus shortage of skilled personnel in health sector, were among the factors that have been fuelling the trend to refer patients to foreign based hospitals.
Dr Mbando added there is an ongoing project to construct a cardiovascular centre at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH); once it starts delivering service, the rate of sending patients to India for heart surgeries will be reduced:
“We are trying to cut down trips abroad for treatment and we already have started with outpatient’s department (OPD) for cardiovascular cases,” he noted.
He also hinted that the construction of the Muhimbili Orthopedic Institute (MOI) Phase III will provide brain operations, which are all referred abroad currently.
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