Tanzania: Tobacco Firm Donates 12m/- X-ray to Morogoro Hospital

Source from:  Daily News 02/06/2013

THE government has called upon all health practitioners to utilise fully donations extended to their institutions by different donors.

The Deputy Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Self Rashid gave the call earlier this week after receiving a 12m/- X-ray processor donated by the Tanzania Leaf Tobacco Company (TTLC) to the Morogoro Referral Hospital. "You must avoid wasteful spending of aid funds or misuse equipment donated to your institution," said Dr Rashid, citing an example of some employees of one hospital who swindle public funds by forging receipts.

The deputy minister called upon cadres in the health sector to be more accountable on their role to the society and the government, as well as fostering self-reliance.

He said the donation was a demonstration of public-private partnership, "Our colleagues are keen to see X-ray services being delivered at the Morogoro Referral Hospital," he said.

TLTC's Group Director of Legal and Corporate Affairs, Mr Richard Sinamtwa said they had donated the facility in line with their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) millieu that focuses on health, education and water. He said public health and environmental conservation were of paramount importance to the firm.

Mr Sinamtwa said the tobacco sub-sector had mapped to plant 46.5m trees seedlings for the 2012/13 crop season. The Medical Officer In-charge of Morogoro Referral Hospital, Dr Rita Lyamuya said the donation was timely, as it came at a time when the hospital was lacking such a facility.

"We have been carrying out X-Ray services under very difficult conditions and you should note that without such a machine, diagnosis and management of patients was cumbersome," she said. Dr Lyamuya said the facility would greatly improve services as it could take between three to four minutes to process a film. "This will improve our services and we are sure many patients will come and be attended swiftly," she said. Enditem