A 69-year-old man, whose name has been withheld for privacy, has been given a new lease on life after undergoing life-saving intestinal surgery performed by specialist doctors dispatched under President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s national medical outreach initiative.
The patient, who had been struggling with a serious intestinal condition for over six months, was admitted to the hospital on June 4, 2025, in severe pain and unable to carry out daily activities due to his deteriorating health.
According to the lead surgeon, Dr. Julius Mollel, examinations revealed that a portion of the patient’s large intestine had twisted 720 degrees effectively cutting off blood flow, causing a blockage, and beginning to decay.
“He was brought in yesterday in critical condition. Our scans showed that his colon had twisted. We prepared him for emergency surgery, and during the operation, we found the intestine had twisted more than twice and was decaying. We removed the damaged section. Fortunately, he is now stable and recovering well,” said Dr. Mollel.
The patient had previously been diagnosed with acute abdominal complications about two weeks earlier and was referred to a higher-level facility for specialized care.
Unfortunately, due to financial difficulties, he was unable to proceed with the referral and returned home without treatment.
Upon learning that President Samia’s team of specialists would be visiting the area, the patient returned to the hospital, where further investigations confirmed the need for urgent surgery, which was successfully performed by the visiting medical team.
Family members, including his wives, Fatuma Hamis and Jamila Issa, along with his son, Ramadhan Mzamiru, expressed deep gratitude to the doctors and to President Samia for establishing the program that saved their loved one’s life.
“We didn’t think he would survive in the condition he was in. We are deeply thankful to Mama Samia for sending these doctors. May God bless her and guide her leadership,” said Jamila Issa.
“We have nothing to give in return but our heartfelt thanks. Without this outreach from President Samia, our father might not be with us today. This service is a lifeline for families like ours who are financially struggling,” added Ramadhan.
The operation was carried out by Dr. Julius Mollel (Surgical Specialist), Dr. Anna Dohho (Anesthesia and Safe Surgery Specialist), Lead Surgical Nurse Emelda Obara, and a supporting team from the hospital.
Specialist medical services in the Manyara Region will continue through June 7, 2025, at several district hospitals including Tumaini, Kiteto (Kibaya), Babati Urban and Rural, Mbulu Urban and Rural, and Simanjiro.
