The government of Germany through KfW Bank has provided a grant of 8.5 million Euros (approx. 17bn/-) to finance the expansion of CCBRT Hospital in Dar es Salaam.
The agreement was signed in the city yesterday by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Ramadhan Khijjah and KfW Director to Tanzania, Mr Wolfgang Solzbacher.
Speaking shortly after the ceremony, Mr Khijjah said the fund will help the government achieve Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) aimed at reducing under-five mortality from 81 to 64 per 1000 live birth in 2015.
“This intervention will co-finance the construction of the baobab maternity and newborn hospital,” Mr Khijjah said. He further added that, baobab maternity and newborn hospital is a result of a Public Private Partnership (PPP) between the government and CCBRT Hospital which started in 2007.
“The grant signed today will enable the government contribute to this hospital which otherwise would be raised through domestic revenue resources,” Khijjah noted. The Treasury PS further pointed out that the funds have been given at the right time to help prevent challenges facing women and newborn children and overall delivery of quality health services in the country.
On his part, Mr Solzbacher said his government will maintain the partnership and friendly relationship that exist between Tanzania and the government of Germany. CCBRT Chief Executive Officer, Erwin Telemans said the hospital appreciates cooperation received from the government in helping mothers and children get quality health services.
“We are very grateful to CCBRT hospital staff who have been helping the government in delivering health services to citizens. In 2012 they carried out 501 fistula surgeries, performed 7750 eye surgeries and undertook 428 cleft palate surgeries,” Mr Telemans said. He said baobab maternity wing is expected to start operating in 2015 when construction work is scheduled to end.
By HILDA MHAGAMA, Tanzania Daily News
