Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba has directed that the construction of the Wing B service building at Katavi Regional Referral Hospital be completed on schedule and meet the required standards, stressing that the government has already released funds for the project.
Dr Nchemba issued the directive on Monday, March 16, 2026, after inspecting the progress of the construction works at the hospital located in Mpanda, Katavi Region.
He said the government expects the contractor to ensure the project is delivered on time and with high quality, warning that there should be no unpaid claims for workers or service providers involved in the project.
“Our expectation is to see this project completed on time and with the required quality. The government has already released the funds, therefore I do not expect to see debts owed to people who have worked on this project,” said Dr Nchemba.
He also insisted that workers engaged in the project should be paid on time to maintain the pace of construction and ensure smooth implementation.
The Prime Minister commended health workers at the regional referral hospital for their dedication in serving the public, urging them to continue working with professionalism, integrity and commitment.
He said the government values hardworking public servants and will continue taking action against those who fail to perform their duties.
“Those who are doing good work should not feel discouraged because the government continues to take action against individuals who show negligence at work. Without dedicated professionals like you, our country would not have achieved the development we are witnessing today,” he said.
Dr Nchemba also noted that Tanzania has some of the most competent health workers in both the East African Community and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), while emphasising that disciplinary measures will be taken against those who fail to meet professional standards.
He further said that for nearly 60 years after independence, districts in Katavi Region lacked district hospitals, noting that major improvements in the health sector have been achieved under the Sixth Phase Government led by President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Providing an update on the project, the hospital’s Medical Officer in Charge, Dr Deogratias Banuba, said the construction of the Wing B building is valued at TZS 13.28 billion and has so far reached 59 percent completion.
He said the project started on February 14, 2023 and is expected to be completed on December 13, 2026. Once finished, the new building will enable the hospital to establish maternity wards, operating theatres and a children’s ward, facilities that are currently unavailable.
Dr Banuba said the hospital currently has 475 staff members, equivalent to 61.5 percent of the required workforce, including 13 medical specialists in various fields. The hospital aims to increase the number of specialists to 17 by 2030.
Specialised services currently provided at the hospital include maternal and child health services, surgery, orthopaedics and trauma care, ear, nose and throat treatment, anaesthesia, mental health care, eye services, radiology and dialysis.
Meanwhile, Katavi Special Seats Member of Parliament Tasker Mbogo called on the government to construct a patient waiting bay, a mortuary and a perimeter fence for the hospital.
Responding to the request, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (PMO-RALG), Reuben Kwagila, said the government plans to allocate about TZS 2 billion to support the construction of additional ward buildings, a mortuary, the procurement of medical equipment and the building of a fence around the hospital.
Once completed, the Wing B project is expected to significantly improve access to healthcare services for residents of Katavi Region and neighbouring areas, particularly maternal and child health services and specialised treatment.
