The government has launched a TZS 30.9 billion project to build a cancer treatment and training centre at Benjamin Mkapa Zonal Referral Hospital in Dodoma, in a move that will decentralise services and ease pressure on facilities in Dar es Salaam and Mwanza.
Vice President Dr Philip Mpango, who laid the foundation stone on Wednesday, said the project would be a game-changer for cancer patients in the Central Zone and neighbouring regions who often endure long and costly journeys to access treatment.
“Cancer cases are rising sharply, particularly cervical, breast, and prostate cancers, which take many lives when diagnosis and treatment are delayed. This centre will ensure that patients receive care closer to home while also serving as a hub for training health professionals,” Dr Mpango said.
He urged the Ministry of Health to fast-track construction and installation of medical equipment, and ensure the availability of adequate specialists.
The Vice President also stressed the importance of prevention, calling for innovative nationwide awareness campaigns on proper nutrition, physical exercise, and lifestyle choices.
“The fight against non-communicable diseases must go hand in hand with reducing risk factors, such as alcohol and tobacco consumption and sedentary behaviour,” he said.
Health Ministry Permanent Secretary Dr Seif Shekalaghe said the centre reflects wider reforms in the sector under the sixth-phase government, which has invested over TZS 1.3 trillion in health infrastructure and equipment in recent years.
“These reforms have delivered tangible results, including a sharp drop in maternal mortality from 556 to 104 deaths per 100,000 live births, according to 2022 data,” he noted.
Once operational, the cancer centre will complement existing facilities at Ocean Road Cancer Institute in Dar es Salaam and Bugando Medical Centre in Mwanza, marking a significant step towards equitable access to specialised healthcare.
Alongside the cancer facility, a kidney transplant unit has also been launched at the Dodoma hospital, further positioning the capital as a hub for advanced medical services.
Analysts say the government’s approach to strengthening zonal hospitals is key to reducing overcrowding at national referral facilities and advancing Tanzania’s universal health coverage ambitions.
