Massive donor support,sign of confidence on my leadership, says Mkapa
 
2005-10-07 07:18:28
By Gerald Kitabu

	President Mkapa greets Benatina Bilas Mrema (R) and Anic Mpwiniza when he toured a new outpatient treatment centre and clinical laboratories at MNH in DSM yesterday.The two are HIV/Aids patients and are undergoing treatment at MNH.

The donor support extended to health sector and other socio-economic projects in the country is a clear testimony of the confidence and trust; the development partners have on President Benjamin Mkapa’s leadership.

The President, made the assertion as he inaugurated a new state-of-art outpatient centre and central pathology laboratory at Muhimbili National Hospital in Dar es Salaam yesterday, which was funded by Abbott Fund.

’I thank you for the laboratory, this is a clear testimony of confidence and trust you have in our leadership, I also thank Muhimbili National Hospital leadership - its board for working together to enhance the development of health services,’ said President Mkapa.

Commending the donors, he said, the concept of public-partnership relations, which aims at improving health facilities should be encouraged and honoured.

In her introductory marks, Minister for health, Anna Abdalah said her ministry sought to make Muhimbili National Hospital a centre of excellence.

’We are talking about a new, modern management approach, based on performance and delivery of quality care to patients,’ she said.

The minister also commended the leadership and vision of Abbott Fund.

’Investing in health systems infrastructure meant investing in the people of Tanzania,’ he said.
She said the bilateral relations between the government of Tanzania and the Abbott Fund would continue to blossom.

About HIV/Aids, she said under President Mkapa’s strong stewardship, the government has increased budgetary allocations to fight the disease over the years.

’During his ten years terms, the government has implemented a national programme to provide HIV/Aids drugs for affected people,’she said.

She commended the President for spearheading the anti-HIV/Aids drive over the years.

Earlier, the Chief Executive officer, Muhimbili National Hospital David Tregoning, said the support extended to his hospital is crucial to supplementing the ongoing larger reform process.

’Effective fighting of diseases has to go with proper improvement of health services,’ he said.

On his part, Abbott’s board Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, miles white said his support to Tanzania represents his company’s commitment to social responsibilities.

Together with the government of Tanzania, Abbot has trained more than 1,300 physicians, nurses and support staff in effective HIV/Aids patient care, upgrading facilities, systems and training at 82 hospitals, health clinics and dispensaries across the country.

• SOURCE: Guardian