Concern as major hospital runs without CT-scan machines

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He said during his Committee’s tour of the hospital that patients from Mbeya Region are forced to travel to Dar es Salaam in search for CT-scan and MRI services.

Mbeya. Parliamentary Standing Committee on Administration and Local Government chairman Jasson Rweikiza has expressed concerns over the lack of body imaging scanners at the Mbeya Referral Hospital.

He said during his Committee’s tour of the hospital that patients from Mbeya Region are forced to travel to Dar es Salaam in search for CT-scan and MRI services.

Mr Rweikiza noted that there was a need for the government to ensure that the scanners were urgently installed at the regional referral hospital.

Another committee member Ruth Mollel commended the management of the health facility for its efforts in improving the facility’s infrastructure.

Mbeya Regional Medical Officer Seif Mhina admitted, before the Committee members that lack of the key scanners was frustrating the patients who needed their services and posed a financial burden to those who were forced to travel all the way to Dar es Salaam to access the diagnostics services.

Dr Mhina appealed to the Committee and the Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Children and the Elderly to look into ways of urgently installing the scanners at his facility.

Meanwhile, the Committee members toured the Public Services College, Mbeya Campus and were reportedly dismayed upon being informed that the institution was paying rent of up to Sh20 million per month to the municipal authorities.

The head of the college, Dr Henry Mambo, revealed that a total of Sh 264 million was paid to Mbeya Municipal Council, who own the college infrastructure, a move that raised questions among the members, such as Ms Ester Mahawe who asked Dr Mambo why the college has not thought of putting up its own buildings instead of paying high cost in renting.

However, Dr Mambo, the said that the college has already made an ownership application to local government authorities and was awaiting for a response.