The government has stepped up efforts to renovate aging hospitals across Tanzania as part of a broader strategy to improve healthcare infrastructure and ensure citizens receive modern and quality medical services.
Speaking in Parliament in Dodoma on Tuesday, Deputy Minister for Health Florence Samizi said the renovations are aimed at aligning older health facilities with current healthcare demands and standards.
Dr. Samizi, who was responding on behalf of the Minister for Health Mohamed Mchengerwa, made the remarks while answering a supplementary question from Rashid Shangazi.
She said Bombo Hospital remains one of the country’s oldest hospitals, but continues to play a crucial role in providing healthcare services to residents of Tanga Region and neighboring areas.
The hospital currently offers 10 specialist medical services despite facing infrastructure challenges linked to its age.
To improve services at the facility, the government has allocated Sh1 billion for the construction of new patient wards. The investment is expected to ease congestion and increase the hospital’s capacity to accommodate more patients.
The Deputy Minister also revealed that an additional Sh1.6 billion has been earmarked for the completion of a safe blood storage building at the hospital, a project expected to strengthen the availability and preservation of safe blood for emergency and critical care services.
She said the ongoing improvements form part of the government’s wider commitment to strengthening the health sector by upgrading old facilities, improving treatment environments, and expanding access to specialized healthcare services.
“The improvements will help enhance the quality of healthcare services, reduce infrastructure-related challenges and ensure wananchi receive better and modern healthcare services closer to where they live,” said Dr. Samizi.
