PRESIDENT Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan has continued to make major investments in the health sector, especially in maternal and child care, with the goal of reducing deaths caused by unsafe abortions.

This was stated today by Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Albert Chalamila as he handed over medical equipment worth Shs. 691 million provided by the government to the members of parliament from 10 constituencies in Dar es Salaam region.

He said the equipment is among the equipment launched last week by the Minister of Health, Ummy Mwalimu nationwide at a cost of Shs. 14.9 billion to 214 constituencies and councils nationwide.

Chalamila said President Dr. Samia is determined to end deaths caused by abortions, so major investments are continuing to be made in the sector.

He said the region has been given more than Shs. 52 billion to strengthen the health sector and that they are improving the construction of new health centers and enabling MSD to distribute modern medical equipment in public centers that are ready to provide services to the citizens.

“In addition to receiving these equipment, this city has benefited from this major investment that involves improving infrastructure, equipment, service delivery while the implementation of other new projects is ongoing,” he said.

Chalamila explained that the investment made by the government in the health sector has brought a major revolution in service delivery, so he calls on the community to seize the opportunity of health insurance for all to reduce medical costs.

“This health insurance measure for all, especially for low-income citizens, will relieve them of the burden of abandoning corpses due to running out of money.

“Let me use this opportunity to call on the citizens to ensure that we encourage our service providers, they are doing a great job, there are challenges but there are also good things, their work is difficult, we cannot, each with their own job, saving someone’s life or working in a morgue is not a small matter,” he said.

For his part, MSD Director General Mavere Tukai said the government has provided more than 14.9 billion shillings to purchase these equipment for the entire country and MSD has purchased them and will distribute them to the 214 constituencies across the country.

Deputy Speaker of Parliament Mussa Zungu, speaking at the event, congratulated President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan for providing ambulances to all 528 members of parliament, with the aim of improving the health sector in the country.

“President Dr. Samia until November 2023 alone has invested more than six trillion in health. Last month, each MP was handed over one vehicle and 528 of your MPs were given an ambulance.

"President Samia has given these vehicles to MPs with the aim of ensuring that maternal and child deaths are reduced," said Deputy Speaker Zungu while using the opportunity to congratulate health service providers.

"I would like to congratulate the nurses and doctors for continuing to provide services. I would especially like to congratulate the Dar es Salaam City Physician Dr. Mohamed Mang'unya who has made significant improvements in health services in Dar es Salaam City in a short period of time."

For his part, the Director General of the Drug Depot (MSD), Mavere Tukai, said the equipment is part of the government's strategy to address the challenge of maternal and child deaths.

He said the strategy to distribute the equipment was launched by the Minister of Health, Ummy Mwalimu, where the government has spent 14 billion shillings to purchase the equipment which will be distributed to all district councils in the country.

According to Tukai, in Dar es Salaam, equipment worth 700 million shillings will be distributed to all dispensaries and health facilities in the region.

Expressing gratitude on behalf of the Dar es Salaam Regional MPs, Ubungo MP, Professor Kitila Mkumbo, explained that the equipment will bring great relief to the citizens, especially in avoiding maternal and child deaths.

“We thank the government through MSD for bringing us these equipment. These are major reforms that will help improve the health of the citizens of the Region,” he said.