President Kikwete cuts ribbon in Rufiji District
on Saturday to inaugurate two ambulance boats worth 122m/- donated by
Ifakara Health Institute. (Photo: Guardian Correspondent)
Expectant women and children in the two villages die because of absence of ambulance facilities to transport them across the Rufiji River during emergencies.
Before the donations, residents living in the Rufiji council, especially patients on the surrounding islands had to travel on traditional fishing boats which are very low and energy consuming as well as susceptible to bad weather leading to the death of many enroute.
Speaking at the inauguration of the ambulances over the weekend, President Kikwete acknowledged that the two speed boats will immensely reduce mother and child deaths in the area. Thanking IHI for their support the president noted:
“This is a good step towards improving health services in the country,” he said.
He pledged more government aid to IHI in an effort to improve healthcare in the country.
The President also took time to warn district council officers that turning the boats into passenger ferrying vessels for personal benefits will result in severe legal consequences.
IHI Director Dr Salim Abdullah said the speed boats are meant to improve health care access for the people living in the Deltas and Islands of Rufiji District. Also, the initiative is geared towards bringing health care closer to the community and enabling quick referral to health centers.
Like the President, Connect Project Manager from IHI Dr Ahmed Hingora called upon the district council officers to use the boats for their planned purpose and to do so with care to give the boats longer life spans in an effort to improve health services and reduce death caused by lack of reliable transport.
SOURCE:
THE GUARDIAN
