News From Parliament

Over 5,000 health workers employed

Mr Majaliwa Kassim Majaliwa

THE government had until May, this year, employed a total of 5,600 health workers out of the required 9,000, in a quest to minimize the shortage of medical workers, the National Assembly was told here on Monday.

A Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office (Regional Administration and Local Government – Education), Mr Majaliwa Kassim Majaliwa, told the august House that the government envisages engaging 3,400 more health workers  this fiscal year to seal the shortage gap.

Mr Majaliwa was answering a supplementary question floated in the House by Ms Cynthia Hilda Ngoye, who wished to know when the shortage of health workers would eventually come to an end. He assured the Special Seats legislator that some of the new medics would be shunted to Mbeya.

In her main question Ms Ngoye had sought to know when Igawilo Health Centre in the city of Mbeya would be elevated to district designate hospital. He said the officials from the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare inspected the health centre on October 29, last year to see its suitability.

The inspectors were satisfied that Igawilo Health Centre is good enough to qualify for elevation to the status of regional hospital. However, it was suggested that a theatre room; a children’s ward; a maternity ward; a pharmacy block; more patient beds and mortuary deep freezers be added.

Mr Majaliwa told the House that in 2012/13 the government has set aside 120m/- for completion of ongoing construction of the wards which will accommodate ailing children and pregnant women. The money will also cover the purchases of deep freezers and surgical tools.The status of the health centre will be elevated soon after the missing wards and other facilities have been made available.