THE Tanzanian
government and the private sector have teamed up to put in place
enhanced health services and precautions as the tourism season starts
with tourists jetting into the country.
Having received the
first passenger plane on Monday evening, the government has facilitated
and
enhanced services at Arusha Lutheran Medical Center (ALMC) in
Arusha, Mawenzi Regional Referral Hospital in Kilimanjaro and set some
camps in northern zone national parks as emergency response centres for
susceptible Coronavirus cases.
The Minister for
Natural Resources and Tourism, Dr Hamisi Kigwangala (pictured) and the
Deputy Minister for Health, Community Development, Gender, Elders and
Children, Dr Godwin Mollel, say they are satisfied with enhanced
preparations and facilities at the designated hospitals and centres.
They made a tour at
ALMC yesterday morning, saw the emergency rooms, wards as well as those
set for dialysis and ambulances fully equipped with necessary equipment
that meet the standards required by the World Health Organisation (WHO)
and were guided and briefed by the ALMC Director, Dr Paul Kisanga, and
the Head of Emergency Services, Dr Peter Mabula.
The initiative has
been made in collaboration with Tanzania Association of Tour Operators
(TATO). Dr Kisanga said the heightened preparatory measures will ensure
safety and healthy stay of tourists and if it happens there was any case
of Covid-19, it would be handled properly and ensure the tourists end
their tour and return home safely.
"We are well
prepared to handle professionally and at the highest standards any cases
of coronavirus suspects here as we are well equipped and have
specialists in the area; So when they are brought in here, they, their
families and friends should rest. assured that they are in safe hands
and will leave fully recovered," said Dr Kisanga.
Dr Mabula revealed
that the ambulances are of state-of-the-art standard in that they are
equipped to serve patients before they reach designated hospitals and
there is a separation between where suspects or patients lie and the
drivers while service providers will be in special Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE).
He said they also
had 46 well trained traffic police on trauma management. He said in any
eventuality, patients will be taken good care of and brought to the
hospital as soon as possible for further treatment and possible
referrals.
Dr Kigwangala
expressed gratitude to the Lutheran Church and management of ALMC as
well as to TATO for their efforts in ensuring that tourists are
protected and are safe and that many more now know that Tanzania is a
safe destination and will be coming over in big numbers.
"We are satisfied
by the efforts taken; The facilities are in good shape, and we have
enough equipment and staff who are capable of serving tourists
efficiently. "The world should know that we are now receiving tourists
and expect more in the coming days. As medical doctors, we have seen the
facilities at the designated hospitals and centres with all emergency
response specialists for different diseases, including Covid-19," said
Dr Kigwangala.
He assured
prospective tourists of a safe stay, safaris and enjoyment on beaches
and that isolation camps had been established and are well equipped;
There are mobile clinics at tourist hotspots, with helicopter services
to fly susceptible cases to designated hospitals.
"We have everything
needed in place-the well-equipped designated hospitals, isolation
centres and camps in tourist hotspots and helicopter ambulances to fly
them from wherever they are and bring them to the designated hospitals.
We have competent personnel in emergency services and in general
services as well. We are ready and have started receiving tourists,"
said the minister.
The minister said
that Covid- 19 cases had dropped so much so that the thing is no more a
pandemic but rather endemic as the government, through President John
Magufuli intervention initiatives, have flattened the curve after a
short period.
The northern
tourism zone attracts the highest percentage of tourists who tour the
country. He said some people had initially panicked when the disease
emerged, but given the assurance of quality services, the panic has
eased considerably.
Dr Mollel, who was
recently appointed by the president to replace Dr Faustine Ndungulile,
said the country was safe and tourists would get special health care in
precautionary as well as treatment spheres.
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