By Charles Mkoka
Tanzanian healthcare provider, Solidarity Domiciliary Care (Sodocare), is promoting home-based medical services as an alternative for patients who no longer require hospital admission but still need professional nursing care during recovery, as well as outcall massage services.
Speaking at the Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (Sabasaba), Sodocare Managing Director Ashura Mwilima said the company provides healthcare services in patients' homes after they have been discharged from hospital and cleared by doctors to continue treatment outside a clinical setting.
She said the service is designed to support patients with chronic illnesses, including cancer, hypertension, diabetes and stroke, as well as those requiring short-term medical care including wound management, post-surgical dressing changes and assistance with feeding or urinary catheters.
"Once a patient is discharged, our nurses conduct an assessment at home to determine the level of care required and develop a support plan based on the patient's medical needs," Mwilima said.
She said home-based care allows patients to recover in familiar surroundings while remaining close to family members and friends, helping improve emotional well-being during treatment and rehabilitation.
According to Mwilima, the model also reduces some of the financial and logistical burdens associated with extended hospital stays while enabling relatives to participate more actively in patient care.
She said the company has established procedures to ensure high standards of infection prevention and patient safety, particularly for post-operative patients requiring regular wound care.
"A significant number of our clients are patients recovering from surgery who require dressing changes and follow-up care. We place strong emphasis on maintaining clinical standards and preventing infection," she said.
Mwilima added that the company routinely collects feedback from patients and families to assess service quality and identify areas for improvement.
Sodocare currently operates in the Dar es Salaam region and uses specialised medical equipment and trained healthcare personnel to deliver nursing and rehabilitation services in patients' homes.
The company says demand for home healthcare is increasing as more families seek personalised care options for elderly relatives, chronically ill patients and individuals recovering from major medical procedures.
