Medical experts from USA set camp in Katavi to provide special treatment

Peti Siyame

KATAVI: EIGHTEEN medical experts from United State of America (USA) are in the

country for a seven-day special free medical camp at Tanganyika District, Katavi Region, to provide health screening and treatment to the surrounding communities and beyond.

The medical camp that started on Saturday aims at moving specialised medical services closer to the citizens, especially as conducting surgeries on hernias include inguinal, femoral, umbilical, incisional and epigastric.

Also, the medical specialists will undergo surgeries to women with illness related to oncology and gynecology.

Equally, the USA based medical specialists will undergo surgeries on kidney, ear, nose and throat (ENT) as well as conduct breast cancer screening.

Also, treatment will be provided to children born with excessive fluid in heads (hydrocephalus) and open backs (spina bifida).

The medical-in-charge officer at the Tanganyika District Hospital Dr Alex Mrema said the camp is being conducted by a team of 18 medical experts based in USA.

“My appeal is to people to turn in large number to seize this noble and golden opportunity also all parents with children born with unusually large heads (Hydrocephalus) and open backs to utilise the opportunity to bring their children for treatment. The surgeries will be offered free of charge,” he said.

According to him hydrocephalus, also called water on the brain, can permanently damage the brain, causing problems with physical and mental development.If untreated, it is usually fatal.

However, with treatment, many people lead normal lives with few limitations.

“Parents with children born with unusual large heads (Hydrocephalus) and open backs should avoid hiding them but instead to take them to nearby health facilities for early treatment,” she said.

On his part Tanganyika District Council Executive Director (DED) Mr Shaaban Juma congratulated the management of the Institute of the Norbert and Friends Missions (NFM- BRIGHT) based in Arusha for its noble decision to move specialists’ services closer to people by bringing in expert doctors to provide specialised services to citizens of Tanganyika District and beyond.

On his part the NFM Executive Director Mr Joel Yalanda said his institution worked jointly with the Tanganyika District Council to bring in the USA based medical specialists to the district to provide specialised medical services which previously people were compelled to trek long distance to seek the serviced to Mbeya Zone Referral Hospital, Benjamin Medical Hospital in Dodoma, KMC in Mwanza and Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) in Dar es Salaam.

Tanganyika District Council Head of Communication Unit Mr Yonah Ambwene told the ‘Daily News’ recently over phone interview that the camp will help to share experience among health workers in order to improve the provision of health services in the district.