DAR ES SALAAM: Tanzania’s Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba has warned health workers against negligence, urging greater professionalism and accountability as the government pushes to improve healthcare services.
Speaking during a visit to Katavi Regional Referral Hospital, Nchemba said staff who fail to meet professional standards would face disciplinary action, while commending those demonstrating commitment to public service.
“Those who work with professionalism and dedication should continue in that spirit. However, negligence will not be tolerated,” he said.
The prime minister also ordered that construction of the hospital’s Wing B service building be completed on schedule and in line with required quality standards, noting that the government has already released funds for the project.
“We expect timely completion without compromising standards. There should be no outstanding payments to contractors,” he added.
The expansion project, valued at about 13.28 billion Tanzanian shillings (around $5.1 million), is currently 59% complete and is expected to be finalised by December 2026, according to hospital officials.
Once completed, the new wing will enable the facility to offer maternity, surgical and paediatric services that are currently unavailable, improving access to specialised care in the largely underserved Katavi region.
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Hospital authorities said the facility currently operates with 475 staff—about 61.5% of required capacity—and has 13 medical specialists, with plans to increase that number to 17 by 2030.
Nchemba noted that for decades after independence, districts in Katavi lacked district hospitals, but said recent investments under President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration were expanding healthcare infrastructure in the region.
In a related development, local lawmakers called for additional investments, including construction of a mortuary, patient waiting areas and a perimeter fence. The government said it plans to allocate about 2 billion shillings (around $770,000) for additional works and medical equipment.
The prime minister also instructed regional authorities to closely monitor the project to ensure it meets deadlines and quality expectations.
The expansion is expected to improve access to maternal and child health services as well as specialised care for residents of Katavi and neighbouring areas.