President John Magufuli has revealed that 170 health centres in Tanzania have had their facilities upgraded over the past few months. The process saw the government allocate a gargantuan amount upwards of Sh161.9 billion ($72 million) to fully complete.
On the completion of this improvement exercise, these health facilities will be fully equipped to perform emergency operations on pregnant women and children as the country continues to work towards first-class maternal and child care.
President Magufuli was quick to express his delight at this latest development at a function where he unveiled 181 vehicles worth an estimated Sh20.75 billion for the use of the Medical Stores Department (MSD). These vehicles will be used for the express purpose of transporting medical supplies throughout the country.
In addition to the up gradation of health facilities, the government has also invested heavily in the construction of 268 more health centres. Tanzania now has a grand total of 7,284 health facilities in the nation. Magufuli also reiterated his administration’s intent to continue in this vein and build more facilities, “This includes construction of regional hospitals in the new regions of Njombe, Geita, Katavi and Simiyu. We are also introducing and improving specialized services in various hospitals in the country,” he said.