Tanzania Urged to Fast-Track 38bn/- Radiotherapy Project

Parliamentary Committee Calls for Timely Completion of 38bn/- Radiotherapy Project

Dodoma, Tanzania – As the Benjamin Mkapa Hospital (BMH) continues its mission to become a leading cancer treatment center in Africa, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and HIV/AIDS has urged the Ministry of Health to expedite the completion of a 38bn/- radiotherapy building project. The committee emphasized the need for swift action to ensure timely delivery of the much-needed facility.

During a recent inspection of the project site in Dodoma, committee members, led by Chairman Hassan Mtenga, reviewed the progress of the facility, which currently stands at 57% completion. Expressing their satisfaction with the advancement, they called on the Ministry of Health to engage with the Ministry of Finance to secure additional funds to finalize the project.

Mr. Mtenga lauded the government’s initiative, emphasizing that the new facility would not only alleviate congestion at the Ocean Road Cancer Institute (ORCI) in Dar es Salaam but also enhance Tanzania’s medical tourism sector.

“We have inspected the site and are pleased with the progress. We extend our gratitude to President Samia Suluhu Hassan for spearheading this transformative healthcare initiative. Our role now is to ensure that the project is effectively managed and completed as scheduled,” said Mr. Mtenga.

He further noted that the committee has been overseeing numerous healthcare infrastructure projects across four regions, acknowledging the significant financial commitment of the government towards improving the health sector.

“When we visited last year, we did not anticipate seeing such substantial progress. We appreciate the effort thus far but strongly urge adherence to the committee’s recommendations to maintain momentum,” he added.

Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Godwin Mollel, reaffirmed the government's commitment to completing the project, highlighting its alignment with President Samia’s broader vision for advancing medical tourism in Tanzania.

“This project is a testament to the government’s strategic investment in specialized healthcare. Funds have already been allocated for its execution, with additional support expected from the United States,” Dr. Mollel stated.

In addition to advocating for the project’s swift completion, committee members praised the hospital’s management and staff for their dedication to enhancing healthcare services at BMH. They urged the government to take further steps to elevate the facility’s status to a national hospital, recognizing its growing role in providing specialized medical care.

Responding to the recommendation, Dr. Mollel assured that the government remains committed to upgrading BMH by introducing more specialized and advanced healthcare services, further bolstering the country’s medical capabilities.