Samia to assist in Prof Jay’s kidney transplant

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Delivering a 50m/- contribution from the president to the Prof Jay Foundation as part of efforts to support what the renowned artist was doing, deputy Health minister Dr Godwin Mollel said the president inquired on the progress of Prof Jay’s health.

She has directed the ministry to set the procedure in which the artist will be receiving care at the Muhimbili National Hospital to ensure he is safe.

The remarks came at the launch of the Prof Jay foundation relating to the war against kidney diseases, where the deputy minister relayed an appeal from the president to the general public to support efforts by the artist, aimed at ensuring that the general public was aware of the kidney disease challenge

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Underlining that Mlongazila and Benjamin Mkapa hospitals can do the transplant operation apart from Muhimbili, he said that if it happens that the technology is not found in the country the president will do what needs to be done to save the situation.

He praised the effort to initiate a public entity to help with treatment of the disease, noting that many people find it difficult to get money for transplant or other services related to the disease.

There is a charity walk with Professor Jay to raise money, while Muhimbili National Hospital executive director Prof Mohammed Janabi raising cash through his writings.

He will get a contribution and support the new initiative to help those facing that acute problem, he said.

The minister promised to spare his time to move with the Prof Jay Foundation to seek support from well-wishers supporting that initiative, affirming that it is important to have insurance cover for such needs.

The government has been offering amnesty peaking at 667bn/-yearly for treating kidney complications, he said, noting that universal health insurance is intended to ensure that we can collectively contribute.

The health insurance fund has spent 789bn/- in a year treating kidney and other non-communicable diseases, he pointed out.

Professor Jay was earlier hospitalised for 462 days at MNH, and yesterday he expressed gratitude to the public for support and solidarity, noting that the president has especially been close to the issue.

The foundation seeks to collect 800m/- and start with 50 patients where a person undergoes dialysis two times a week at a cost of 300,000/-.

Prof Janabi said most people don’t take action until the disease reaches higher stages, which makes treatment costly and complicated.