Aga Khan encouraged to enhance affordability of treatment

Dar es Salaam. The government has requested the Aga Khan Hospital to look into the possibility of reducing the cost of treatment provided at the hospital and its health centres to allow more Tanzanians to access the service.

However, the government has hailed the Ismailia Community for continuing to play a role in stimulating the country’s economic growth

Home Affairs minister Hamad Masauni made the call last Friday as the chief guest of the Maulid an-Nabi celebrations hosted by the Ismaili Council of Tanzania.

The celebrations brought together members of various faiths to commemorate the auspicious birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW), emphasising the universal values of compassion, tolerance, unity, and striving for human development, in line with Prophetic teachings.

He said the health sector is important, but unfortunately, a majority of Tanzanians are left out because they cannot afford the high costs of treatment.

“We believe that Tanzanians would like to access services at all health facilities including Aga Khan, but because of various reasons, including high costs, they cannot do so,” he said.

Speaking about the celebrations, Mr Masauni began by congratulating the Ismailia community on being able to mark a joint Maulid celebration of its kind with a combination of different Islamic sects while explaining that the situation indicates in practice how they maintain the foundations of peace and love for all Tanzanians.

For his part, Aga Khan Development Network Tanzania (AKDA) Ambassador Amin Kurji said they will look into the request to see what they can do.

However, he stressed that it is vital for all Tanzanians to have health insurance in order to afford quality services.

“Not having health insurance makes treatment expensive anywhere in the world. Parliament recently passed a health insurance bill that we believe will enable a majority of Tanzanians to access high-quality treatment,” said Ambassador Kurji.

He said Aga Khan has 32 centres providing services across the country.

“Aga Khan Hospital is like a referral hospital; just like Muhimbili Hospital, you cannot go directly; the same system is used at Aga Khan Hospital; if you have your health insurance, it covers all the expenses; you have no problem,” said Ambassador Kurji.