A team of specialist and super-specialist doctors has successfully performed a complex oral and maxillofacial surgery on an injured patient at the Southern Zonal Referral Hospital in Mtwara, highlighting the growing reach of advanced healthcare services through the government's nationwide specialist medical outreach programme.
The operation was conducted during the Specialist and Super-Specialist Medical Camp, organised by the Ministry of Health in partnership with the East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC).
The outreach, which began on July 20, aims to expand access to specialised treatment by bringing expert medical services closer to underserved communities.
Speaking after the procedure, consultant oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr Mohamed Mkawa from Lugalo Military Hospital said the surgery was completed successfully through a multidisciplinary approach, with the patient recovering in stable condition.
“The operation was successful and the patient is stable. We worked closely with other specialists, and such collaboration is essential in ensuring patients receive safe and high-quality care,” said Dr Mkawa.
He said the outreach programme is enabling patients to access specialised treatment within their regions, reducing the need to travel long distances to referral hospitals and lowering the financial burden associated with transport, accommodation and medical care.
Dr Mkawa also praised the collaboration between the Ministry of Health and ECSA-HC, noting that it has brought together specialist and super-specialist doctors from across the country to deliver services that are often unavailable outside major urban centres.
According to him, by July 24 the oral and maxillofacial surgery team had examined about 30 patients requiring specialised care, while more than 100 others had undergone preliminary screening for oral and facial conditions.
He encouraged people experiencing problems affecting the face, mouth or teeth to make use of the ongoing medical camp before it concludes.
“Anyone with facial, oral or dental conditions should visit the hospital for assessment and appropriate treatment while these services are available,” he said.
The specialist outreach, which runs until July 30, is offering a broad range of advanced medical services, including surgery, ophthalmology, cardiology, nephrology, urology, orthopaedics, neurosurgery, women's health and other specialised disciplines.
The initiative forms part of the government's efforts to strengthen equitable access to specialist healthcare by taking highly skilled medical professionals directly to regional and zonal hospitals, reducing waiting times and improving treatment outcomes for patients across the country.
