French agency happy with implementation of health projects

Dar es Salaam. The French International Development Agency (AFD) has spoken highly about efforts of implementing health projects.

It said millions of people had benefited from the projects.

That was said by AFD chief executive officer Rémy Rioux on Monday, June 18, during his tour of the Aga Khan Hospital here to see the progress of a Sh192 billion project for the expanding the hospital and establishing 27 outreach health centres.

The project is funded through a concessional loan of Sh123 billion issued by AFD and a grant of Sh69 billion from The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN).

Outreach centres will enable people across Tanzania to access affordable and quality health care at their doorstep and establish a continuum of care with the Aga Khan Hospital, according to a statement issued after talks between the AFD chief and Aga Khan executives.

“These initiatives aim to supplement the efforts of the government of Tanzania in responding to the key challenges of access, quality, affordability and continuity of care in dealing with a changing burden of diseases. The programme also includes the development of human resource capacity within the country and in reversing medical tourism,” said Mr Rioux.

He appreciated the partnership between AFD and the AKDN.

He also commended the Aga Khan Health Service for the progress in implementing the expansion project.

The AKDN director for health, Dr Gijs Walraven, expressed his gratitude to the AFD for supporting AKDN’s social projects globally and in particular the expansion of Aga Khan Hospital, Dar es Salaam.

He stated that the expansion of the hospital, which is expected to be completed this month, would enhance inpatient capacity to 170 beds, with new as well as consolidate programmes in cardiology, oncology, neurosciences, critical care, maternal and child health and the provision of advanced diagnostic services.

“In fact, this partnership has allowed Aga Khan Health Service, Tanzania and the Aga Khan University to introduce postgraduate medical programmes in Internal Medicine, Family Medicine and Surgery where currently 21 residents are enrolled in the four-year programme.”