Muhimbili saves Sh1.3billion from local cochlea implants procedures
What you need to know:
- Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) has saved Sh1.3 billion from carrying out cochlea implant procedures locally; to 21 children since June this year. At least Sh2.1 billion would have been required if the same procedures were done abroad.
Dar es Salaam. Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) has saved about Sh1.3 billion from carrying out cochlea implant procedures to 21 children locally.
The government would have incurred about Sh2.1 billion to treat the same children abroad where it costs around ShSh100 million per a child.
A cochlear implant (CI) is a surgically implanted device that provides a sense of sound to a person with severe to profound hearing loss.
MNH’s Ear Nose and Throat Surgeon, Dr Edwin Liyombo said on November 18 that 10 children were implanted with cochlea by local specialists; in collaboration with Prof Lobna Shash of the Ain Shams University in Egypt.
Dr Liyombo told journalists that a total of 21 children have benefited from the service since June, 2018.
“Tanzania is the first country in Africa to offer such a service in public hospitals. In Kenya this is offered by private hospitals at $31,000 per child; which is equivalent to over Sh70 million,” he said.
Details show that only Sh777 million has been spent for 21 children, therefore saving nearly Sh1.3 billion.
