More than 350 people in Kahama District have benefitted from the dental health support under the African Barrick Gold (ABG) Maendeleo Fund.
The ABG Corporate Affairs Manager (Community Relations), Mr Steve Kisakye, said the his firm issued funds to provide subsistence support for trainers and dental kits to health care workers.
He said the two-week programme 350 people residing near Bulyanhulu Gold Mine received free dental treatment and six clinical officers were trained on dental procedures.
He said the programme was aimed at addressing the devastating effects on dental patients, who had been suffering for long. He said a British NGO Bridge2Aid conducted the training. Bridge2Aid developed a revolutionary training programme in basic and emergency dental skills for rural clinical officers.
The programme is being held in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. The latest programmes were held at Segese, Bugarama, Kilago and Kagongwa villages, where 12 clinical officers were involved. Bridge2Aid CEO Mark Topley said the training helped to bring services closer to the communities.
“We are delighted that this training has been made possible thanks to funding and cooperation from ABG.
On this programme we will increase the number of clinical officers we have trained to 300, which has resulted in access to vital emergency dental care for about 3 million people across the Lake Zone,” he said.
Since 2004, Bridge2Aid has treated 25,000 people suffering from dental problems. The clinical officers who have undergone training can successfully treat 70-80 per cent of patients who come to them for assistance.
By NELLY MTEMA, Tanzania Daily News
