The Minister of State in the President’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (OR-TAMISEMI), Mohamed Mchengerwa, has made it clear that he no longer wants to hear about the ongoing medicine shortages at Utete Hospital.
During his visit to the facility, he directed the Rufiji District Medical Officer, Dr. Hamis Abdallah, to ensure the issue is resolved promptly so that citizens continue to receive high-quality healthcare.
“I don’t want to hear complaints from the citizens of Rufiji about the unavailability of medicines anymore. It’s your responsibility, as the District Medical Officer, to work with your team and solve this problem,” Mchengerwa firmly stated.
The Minister highlighted that Rufiji has never faced such a crisis in the past, referencing the tenure of Dr. Makenge, the former District Medical Officer, as a period when medicine availability was never an issue.
"Rufiji has not had this problem before," Mchengerwa remarked. “When Dr. Makenge was in charge, we never heard complaints about shortages.”
He further emphasized that the situation was not acceptable, underscoring the importance of maintaining a steady supply of medicines.
"This situation is unacceptable. I do not want to hear citizens complaining about a lack of medicine again. You need to ensure that supplies are sufficient, and I will personally investigate the cause because the government has no problem with funding medicine,” he added.
Mchengerwa also took the opportunity to commend the efforts of medical professionals and healthcare workers in Rufiji for their ongoing work in reducing maternal and child mortality.
He acknowledged their significant role in fighting corruption, especially regarding services for mothers seeking maternal healthcare at hospitals and health centers across the country.
"I commend the efforts of our healthcare workers in controlling corruption and ensuring that mothers receive the care they need," he praised.
Meanwhile, a local resident, Mwema Said, expressed gratitude for the recent improvements in the hospital’s infrastructure.
“We are now enjoying new wards, medical equipment, and much better healthcare services than before,” Said remarked, thanking the Minister for making these changes possible.
