CUBA to provide 13 medical experts for specialised services at the Bugando Medical Centre- Tanzania

CUBA has promised to maintain bilateral cooperation with Tanzania, besides agreeing to place 13 medical experts for specialised services at the Bugando Medical Centre (BMC).

The Cuban Ambassador to Tanzania, Prof Lucas Domingo Hernandez Polledo, said the two countries have enjoyed strong bilateral ties in history traced back to the founding fathers Julius Nyerere and Fidel Castro.

He also pointed out saying, “Cuba is glad to reclaim stable cooperation with Tanzania and the current spirit reminds us of the era of the two founding fathers and historical friends, Mwalimu Nyerere and Comrade Castro.
Our resumed relationship would be nourished in almost all beneficial sectors.”

He said the ancient relations between his country and Tanzania have been further joined by the recent decision by President John Magufuli, when he opened an embassy in Havana, adding that surely the gesture will further improve political and economic relations between us.

The Ambassador who was here for a number of official activities, among others, gave a visit to the BMC where the institution will soon receive about 13 Doctors and Nurses from Cuba to boost specialised medical services as areas with awful shortage of local experts.

Ambassador Polledo, said, Cuba has recorded impressive milestones in a number of sectors specially health and education, which it has been heavily investing since its independence.

He said Cuba with almost 11 million people has over 90,000 doctors, where one doctor serves about 3,000 people surpassing the ratio set by the World Health Organisation (WHO) of one to cater for 8,000 patients.
Whereas, Tanzania has one doctor serving around 20,000 people.

This will help Tanzania to improve their healthcare services.

Ethiopian medical doctors provide free medical service in Asmara

A group of Ethiopian doctors that consist of 35 newly graduates and 05 experienced doctors visited Asmara with an aim to provide free medical service.
The group is headed by Dr. Liya Tadesse, the Deputy Minister of Health of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and other government officials.

Ms. Amina Nurhussen, Minister of Health, specified that the Governments of Eritrea and Ethiopia have agreed to work together in all sectors aimed at strengthening the existing peace and friendship cooperation and that the coming of the medical doctors attests to that.

Minister Amina added further added “in Eritrea the Ethiopian doctors will have the opportunity to work alongside Eritrean doctors and exchange experiences.”

The Ethiopian medical doctors will provide free medical service for two months in the referral hospitals of the Central, Anseba, Southern and Northern Red Sea regions.

Dr. Liya Tadesse said that the historic peace and friendship agreement reached between President Isaias Afwerki and Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed is the biggest gift to the peoples of the two countries. Dr. Liya stated that this first cooperation in the health sector serves to the developing good neighborliness and far sighted relation between the two countries.

Tanzania-first African country to acheive well-functioning regulatory system for medicines

The Tanzania Food and Drug authority (TFDA) has made tremendous improvements in recent years in ensuring medicines in the healthcare system are of good quality, safe and produce the planned health benefit.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) Tanzania is the first well beleifed country in Africa to achieve a well-functioning, regulatory system for medical products.

Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa said, “This is a major African milestone and we are very proud of Tanzania’s achievement, which we hope will inspire other countries in the region. With this step Tanzania makes a big step towards improving the quality of its health care services.”

It is important to have a successful regulatory systems that also serve to promote timely access to quality medicines as Medicines are used to prevent illnesses and treat diseases, helping many people to lead full and productive lives. However, if produced, stored or transported improperly or used incorrectly then medicines can be dangerous and can lead to hospitalization and even death.
WHO and African governments have raised efforts to support the capacity of regulating medicines in the region.
Over the past years WHO has been supporting African countries, including Tanzania to boost their regulatory organizations.

The benchmarking of Tanzanian regulatory authorities was carried out in levels by a WHO-led team of international experts.
Tanzania FDA met all indicators that define a maturity level 3 agency, the second highest on WHO’s scale and the target for regulatory systems worldwide

Tanzania FDA has come a long way to becoming a well known leader in medicines regulation in Africa
The latest achievement means that medical doctors, pharmacists, chemists and technicians working for the regulatory authority hold the expertise and hands-on skills to evaluate medical products, prevent and check associated hazards and are able of protecting the public from substandard and falsified medicines.