GOVERNMENT TO CONTINUE INVESTING HEAVILY IN QUALITY CARDIAC SERVICES – MAJALIWA

Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa has said that the Government will continue making sufficient investments to ensure that Tanzanians access quality treatment for heart and cardiovascular diseases.

He stated that such investments align with the national commitment to reduce the costs of seeking specialized treatment abroad, thereby helping to save the lives of many Tanzanians.

Majaliwa made the remarks today, Sunday (September 28, 2025), when he officiated the Saifee Charity Marathon, which started and ended at Green Park Oysterbay in Dar es Salaam.

He noted that the Sixth Phase Government under President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan has invested in modern diagnostic equipment such as ECHO, ECG, Ultrasound, and Holter monitors.

According to him, statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO) indicate that about 71 percent of all global deaths are caused by non-communicable diseases. “It is estimated that more than 4.9 million people aged between 30 and 79 are affected by heart and cardiovascular complications.”

“Fellow citizens, I urge you to go for medical checkups so you can be certain of your health. In the past, such services required traveling abroad to countries like India, the UK, or Germany, but now these treatments are available right here in Tanzania,” he emphasized.

Furthermore, Majaliwa called on all health stakeholders to collaborate in raising public awareness about prevention, noting that non-communicable diseases are proven to be life-threatening.

“As citizens, we have a responsibility to undergo regular health checkups because early detection allows timely treatment and saves lives,” he added.

On his part, the Executive Director of the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI), Dr. Peter Kisenge, said that the Government continues to implement the 2007 Health Policy, which focuses on improving services for non-communicable diseases, including hypertension. “These services are now offered across all levels of health facilities,” he explained.

He further revealed that in Tanzania, cases of hypertension have increased from 1.73 million patients in 2023/2024 to 1.77 million patients in 2024/2025, equivalent to a 98 percent increase.

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of Saifee Hospital, Murtaza Alibhai, said that the objective of the marathon went beyond running; it aimed at educating the community and emphasizing preventive healthcare.

He added that the hospital’s strategies support the National Development Vision 2050, which prioritizes human development. “We are proud to support and stand with our President, Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, in the advancement of the health sector in Tanzania,” he said.

The marathon’s primary goal was to raise community awareness on preventive measures against heart and cardiovascular diseases by promoting healthy lifestyles.

Another objective was to strengthen early detection of non-communicable diseases and encourage multi-stakeholder collaboration in the fight against them.