Dar es Salaam: The non-governmental organization Heart Team Africa Foundation (HTAF) has called on institutions and private companies in the country to participate in donating heart disease treatment services for children, especially those from families who cannot afford the high cost of treatment.
The call was made in Dar es Salaam by the Chief Executive Officer of HTAF, Dr. Nazihijwa Majani during a visit by leaders of the Geita Gold Mine (GGML) gold mining company when they visited the institution to see the heart treatment services being provided.
Dr. Nazihijwa, who is also a pediatric cardiologist, said the company has provided support of 56 million shillings for the treatment of children with heart problems, the support has succeeded in financing heart surgeries for 14 children who urgently needed the service to save their lives.
“We are targeting to reach 420 children this year who need heart surgery. We continue to appeal to other stakeholders to come forward to help, as we are still facing the challenge of lack of accommodation for children and parents waiting for services,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the Executive Director of the Jakaya Kikwete Heart Institute (JKCI), the Director of Cardiac Surgery at JKCI, Dr. Angela Muhozya, stressed the importance of establishing the House of Hope for children who come from the regions to receive medical services.
“Children and parents who come from far away from Dar es Salaam lack a place to stay while they wait for treatment. When we get medical support and accommodation infrastructure, we directly touch the lives of our future children,” said Dr. Angela.
Geita Gold Mine (GGML) Vice President, Simon Shayo said GGM will continue to collaborate with various stakeholders in improving children’s health through its social responsibility activities.
“We love to see children grow up healthy. We believe that investing in health is investing in life and we will continue to collaborate with JKCI to achieve this goal,” said Shayo.
Parents of the children who received the service expressed gratitude to the sixth phase Government led by Hon. President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, JKCI, HTAF and GGM for the support that enabled their children to receive specialist treatment and return to good health.
“I have struggled for a long time to find medical services for my child as he had difficulty breathing and was unable to play well with his peers, but through this support my child has undergone heart surgery and is now doing well,” said Mariamu Rashidi from Kondoa.
“I have not paid a single cent for the heart surgery my son underwent which cost six million five hundred thousand shillings. I thank God, the Government, JKCI and GGML for this great support. I pray that other Tanzanians will come forward to help children who need surgery like my child,” said Neema Wiliam.
