Address health issues
Being health—being free from illness or injury—is our number one concern. However, this comes at a cost.
Access to quality health services can be costly in Tanzania. This is the reason when free treatment by Chinese doctors aboard naval ship christened Peace Ark was announced; thousands of Tanzanians swarmed into Dar es Salaam Port early this week.
The multitudes that came out for treatment speak volumes.
First, it is shows that health insurance cover is still beyond the reach of most ordinary citizens. As a country, we need to fix this.
Secondly, it shows that health services in our country are expensive and the majority fail to use because they cannot afford them. This means, as a country we must do all in our powers to improve our purchasing powers.
Thirdly, this could also show that people have no confidence in the locally provided health services. It means, upon hearing of foreigners coming, then they rushed to use this opportunity to get healed.
Fourthly, the phenomenon is telling in that ours is an ailing nation. Some people we meet in the streets are actually sick but due to economic difficulties, they cannot go for treatment.
Hence, the government must strengthen health insurance cover, improve people’s earnings and make health services accessible and of the highest quality.
