By The Respondent Reporter
Tanzania has set a new milestone in healthcare by introducing a cutting-edge technology for removing tumors without surgery, becoming the first country in East and Central Africa to offer this service.
The innovation, known as High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU), was launched on August 27 at Kairuki Hospital by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Dr. Doto Biteko.
The technology uses focused sound waves to treat tumors without invasive surgery, promising faster recovery and reduced treatment costs.
“This technology places Tanzania at the forefront of advanced medical care in Africa,” Dr. Biteko said during the inauguration ceremony.
“It will not only benefit patients locally but also position our country as a medical tourism hub, boosting revenue and access to modern health services.”
Previously, the HIFU service was available in only three African countries Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa.
The launch in Tanzania marks a significant step toward improving cancer care and other tumor-related treatments in the region.
Dr. Biteko commended Kairuki Hospital for its efforts in improving healthcare and announced that the hospital will offer a 50 percent discount to the first 50 patients seeking HIFU treatment within the first month.
He said this gesture demonstrates compassion and commitment to making advanced healthcare accessible to ordinary Tanzanians.
“The government under President Samia Suluhu Hassan is committed to promoting public-private partnerships to improve service delivery,” Dr. Biteko noted.
“We will continue to support initiatives like this to ensure more Tanzanians access quality care within our borders.”he added
He urged officials from the Ministry of Health to embrace collaboration with private institutions and learn from their innovations rather than competing with them.
“Working together beyond inspection periods is key because our shared goal is delivering excellent healthcare to all,” he added.
In response to Kairuki Hospital’s request for better road access, Dr. Biteko directed Kinondoni Municipal authorities to prioritize the construction of a 300-meter tarmac road leading to the hospital.
The hospital also unveiled its new emergency department, which can serve over 9,000 patients annually. This addition strengthens Tanzania’s emergency care system and readiness for critical medical cases.
Representing the Minister of Health, Dr. Mwinyikondo Amir said the launch of HIFU reflects the strong collaboration between the government and the private sector.
He noted that such partnerships align with Tanzania’s Development Vision 2050, which targets universal access to quality health services.
Kokushubila Kairuki, Chairperson of the Kairuki Health and Education Organization, revealed that installing HIFU technology cost TSh 12.3 billion.
He assured continued commitment to supporting the government’s agenda for improving health services and contributing to a strong economy.
According to Acting Director General Dr. Onesmo Kaganda, the HIFU technology started operating in December 2023 and has already served 303 patients for screening and 298 for treatment, delivering positive results.
“This is a historic moment because HIFU allows treatment without surgical incisions,” said Dr. Kaganda.
“Patients experience no scarring, do not require general anesthesia, and recover faster compared to traditional surgery. It also reduces costs since patients no longer need to travel abroad for treatment.”he added
The technology treats both cancerous and non-cancerous tumors in organs such as the breast, pancreas, uterus, and prostate.
Other benefits include improved cancer drug effectiveness, slowing disease progression, and reducing pain for cancer patients.
Dr. Kaganda emphasized that introducing HIFU supports Tanzania’s vision of becoming a medical tourism hub in Sub-Saharan Africa.
He also praised President Samia Suluhu Hassan for creating an enabling environment for private health investment.
