Official calls for review of MNH medical charges

Currently, a patient received at the department pay Sh10,000 while on average the unit spends Sh45,000 on each. PHOTO/FILE 

In Summary

The department say the amount being charged to patient does not correspond to the actual cost incurred in treating a patient.

Dar es Salaam. Emergence Department at the Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) has asked the government to increase treatment charges for them to serve patients better.

The department say the amount being charged to patient does not correspond to the actual cost incurred in treating a patient.

Currently, a patient received at the department pay Sh10,000 while on average the unit spends Sh45,000 on each.

Speaking on behalf of the MNH Executive Director Dr Hussein Kidanto at a one-day blood donation campaign, Dr John Kimaryo said that the increase was unavoidable to recoup the cost and continuing serving patients better.

He said that the institution (MNH) generally and the unit specifically, faced myriad of challenges, including overcrowding of patients and shortages affecting provision of better services.

“There is a need to persuade the hospital management and the government to review the charges in order to improve efficiency and the quality of services provided at the centre,” said Dr Kimaryo.

The department, which marked five years since it was established celebrated the day by campaigning the blood donation held at the Karume market ground.

The head of the department, Prof Victor Mwafongo urged the public to continue donating blood to save lives, noting that his unit was among those in need of it.

“We receive emergency patients from accidents which you don’t expect, we badly need the blood. I urge people to continue donating because the blood bank is regularly facing the scarcity while the blood demand remains constantly high,” he said.

For his side, the Ilala District Administrative Secretary, Mr John Ngonyani, praised continued efforts by various stakeholders supporting the campaign, urging more private and public institution to join the bandwagon.

“Blood is not manufactured, nor grown on farms, we save lives by giving our blood to other people. I honour the contributions of supporting organisations which have participated today,” he said. He added that the demand for blood was an ongoing thing due to the nature of its lifespan. He said normally blood was kept on a period of one month.

The National Blood Transfusion Services (NBTS) annually needs a total of 450,000 paints of blood, but it has been collecting only 26 per cent (120,000 paints) with the main blood donators being students.