The Speaker of EALA, Rt. Hon Margaret Nantongo Zziwa is calling on the EAC governments to draw up several measures, including making available incentives to raise the number of doctors and medical graduates to serve the region better. The Speaker maintains that is perhaps the safest bet to ensuring better health care delivery in the region and to contribute to the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs).
Rt. Hon Zziwa made the remarks today when she officiated over the unveiling of the AAR Arusha Health Centre. The Speaker urged stakeholders to find solutions to the huge inequities in human resources especially in the public sector – calling for programs that promote retention of health personnel in cadres while guaranteeing consistent and sustainable delivery of services.
‘I am aware that currently, the doctor to patient ratio in the East African Community is low. In the United Republic of Tanzania for example, the figure is pegged at 1:25,000 which is way too low and falls short of the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) recommended guidelines of 1:1000 by the year 2015. The entire region has similar challenges. But we must not despair’, the Speaker remarked.
The Speaker urged the AAR group to move into Rwanda and Burundi and beyond.
‘Perhaps this is also the time to mention that at least three other countries have indicated their desire and interests to join the bloc and you will need to cast your net wide in anticipation of rendering the much needed services’ she noted.
In the long term, I want to challenge the AAR Group and other Health Care Service Providers in the region to consider teaming up with the Chennai Hospitals and such like-minded world class facilities. She added.
Present at the ceremony were the Chairman of the AAR Healthcare Holdings, Dr. Frank Njenga, Group CEO Mr. Jagi Gakunju, AAR Managing Director, Mark Achola and other senior medical officials.
In his remarks, AAR Chair, Dr. Frank Njenga remarked that AAR would continue to provide quality medical services to the region. He maintained that the service provider would expand by establishing additional clinics in the United Republic of Tanzania and the rest of the region.
The opening of AAR Arusha Health Center shall go a long way in providing quality and affordable medical care not only to the members of the Arusha community but to all Arusha visitors, as the Clinic has full capacity of attending more than 100 patients a day.
NOTE TO EDITORS
ABOUT AAR HEALTH CARE (T) LTD
AAR started operating in 1984; and its primary business then was evacuation of medical and accident casualties, both by road and air. As AAR’s membership increased, so did the needs of the clients, creating more opportunities to comprehensively provide healthcare packages for clients.
AAR’s flexibility, innovation and readiness to respond to the needs of clients has made AAR a leading healthcare company in East Africa, as encapsulated in its vision, mission and core values.
AAR is today the largest and most successful private healthcare company with a footprint in the East African region. AAR has 18 health centers spread over Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania; through which it provides preventative and curative healthcare to clients from all walks of life. AAR also offers rescue and evacuation services to our members from anywhere in the world.
With a current membership of close to 100,000, AAR are not only leaders in healthcare but are also the preferred provider for both the public and private sectors in East Africa.
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For more Information, contact: Bobi Odiko, Senior Public Relations Officer; East African Legislative Assembly; Tel: +255-27-2508240 Cell: +255 787 870945, +254-733-718036; Email: bodiko@eachq.org Web: https://www.eala.org Arusha, Tanzania
