Zanzibar secures 400bn/- for specialised referral hospital

This is after it secured a soft loan $163.6 million (400bn/-) from South Korean Exim Bank.

Juma Makungu Juma, Deputy Minister for Finance and Planning, made the remarks in the House of Representatives yesterday when responding to a question by Wawi legislator Bakari Hamadi Bakari who wanted to know how Zanzibar benefits from diplomatic relations.

He said the government was in the final stages to commence a feasibility study of the project, especially how the buildings will be constructed.

Juma said the new mega hospital was among the government’s strategic projects to help transform health sector in the isles.

According to him, the project had to be implemented many years ago but delayed due to financial challenges.

“This project is very important for Zanzibar and Tanzania in general and once completed, it will help cut referral of patients abroad while providing health professionals a place for practical training,” he said.

He added that the new hospital will be equipped with modern equipment and specialists in various diseases.

In addition, he said that the hospital will also invest in research on various issues, including diseases that have been affecting the people for years.

He assured the legislators that the government was well prepared to ensure that it invests heavily in health sector and other areas in order to improve provision of services to people and thus stimulate development.