Tanzania Info
Joined: 23 Feb 2007 Posts: 16
Home Country: tanzania
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Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2007 6:15 am Post subject: HEALTHCARE IN TANZANIA / TANZANIA HOSPITAL GUIDE |
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HEALTHCARE IN TANZANIA
GENERAL
In 1975, the government began to nationalise all hospitals, including those run by Christian missions; private medical practice was ended in 1980. Medical treatment is free or highly subsidized in company clinics as well as hospitals. The pyramid structure of Tanzania's national healthcare system, stressing primary care at an affordable cost, makes it a pioneer in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2000, 54% of the population had access to safe drinking water and 90% had adequate sanitation. An estimated 80% of the population had access to healthcare services in 1990–95 and in 1999, public healthcare expenditures were 3% of GDP. Life expectancy was 44 years in 2000.
In 1992, there were 3,000 rural health facilities, 17 regional hospitals, and 3 national medical centers; in the same year, the ratio of nurses to doctors was 7:3. As of 1999, it was estimated that there were fewer than 0.05 physicians per 1,000 people, and0.9 hospital beds. Medical staff morale was low due to declining wages and management and operational difficulties in the central medical stores and domestic pharmaceuticals industries. Imports of drugs are overseen by the Pharmaceutical Board; there are four local manufacturers.
There are six levels of healthcare in Tanzania, from village health posts through to district, regional and referral hospitals. Even in rural areas, more than 90 per cent of people live within 10 kilometres of a basic clinic. While access is not such a problem, waiting times, lack of medicine and high costs are.
Approximately one in eight Tanzanian children die before their fifth birthday. Inadequate immunisation, poor nutrition and unsafe drinking water make children vulnerable to diseases such as measles, dysentery, cholera and tuberculosis.
Malaria remains one of the nation’s biggest killers, however HIV has spread rapidly, leaving a trail of people widowed and children orphaned by AIDS. Among the poor, who cannot afford extra healthcare or absorb income losses, the effects of the disease are even greater.
DIRECTORY OF HOSPITALS & CLINICS
I.S.T. Medical Scheme Clinic
IST Upper School,
Chole Road,
Dar-es-Salaam,
Tanzania
Tel: +255-22 260 1307
Fax: +255-22 260 0127
Website: www.istclinic.com
Nordic Clinic
Valhalla House 30,
P.O. Box 72185,
Dar-es-Salaam,
Tanzania
Tel: +255-22 260 1650
Fax: +255-22 260 0214
Website: www.nordic.or.tz
TMJ Hospital
Old Bagamoyo Road,
Dar-es-Salaam,
Tanzania
Tel: +255-22 270 0007
Fax: +255-22 277 0008
The Aga Khan Hospital
Ocean Road/Ufukoni Street,
P.O. Box 2289,
Dar es Salaam,
Tanzania
Tel: +255-22 211 5151
Fax: +255-22 211 5156
Website: www.agakhanhospitals.org |
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