The just ended 57th celebration to mark 57 years of the existence of Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) has proved to be a litmus paper on thirst of the public wanting to be informed on public health.
Dr Marina Njelekela
The MNH Executive Director, Dr Marina Njelekela said during the closing of the exhibitions that close to 4,000 people visited different pavilions. “For the three days that the exhibitions have been taking place, it is clear by the numbers and the questions generated that the public is thirsty for information,” she said.
Dr Njelekela highlighted that some of the questions that were of interest included the public wanting to know the whole procedure of how to get treated, the cost of minimal invasive or endoscopic surgery which pulled crowds.
She said other questions were reasons for kidney stones, the number of people who have been operated since the heart centre started and the public also asked for an increase in network coverage so that patient records can be accessed anywhere in the country.
“For the quality service department, there were complaints about hospital employees lacking communication skills, we are working on this and plan to impart customer care skills to all,” she announced. Representing the Minister of State, President’s Office for Public Service Management, Ms Celina Kombani, the Deputy Minister for Community Development, Gender and Children, Ms Ummy Mwalimu said that it was important that the feedback was adhered to.
Ms Mwalimu said that it was evident that a lot of good was derived from having exhibitions where the public was given a chance to see what is being done and ask questions. “Allow me to take this opportunity to throw a challenge to other hospitals and medical facilities to organise such events and also benefit from getting feedback from the people they serve,” she said.
The Deputy Minister announced that the achievements being made by the national hospital were encouraging but needed to be improved. Since the MNH changed its name 13 years ago, it has managed to employ 2,800 people, perform 346 heart surgeries domestically and is soon to instal a catheterization laboratory and completion of a state of the art laboratory, cardiac and children’s unit.
After the closure of the exhibitions, three most informative pavilions were awarded, where the cardiac department emerged on top, walking away with 2m/- and a trophy. The second place was won by the emergency services department that took away 1.2m/- and a trophy and third was the children’s surgery department which won 800,000/- and a trophy.
The MNH Cardiothoracic and Vascular surgeon, Dr Elijah Ussiri said he was deeply honoured and happy to have received the prize on behalf of the department, saying he was sure it will boost the morale of the specialists and motivate the younger surgeons and aspiring cardiologists.
By MASEMBE TAMBWE, Tanzania Daily News
