A medical practitioner has started a modern hospital here which is expected to reduce reliance on overseas treatment for major health cases involving surgery on orthopedic, heart and kidney problems among patients.
Dr Ameesh Mehta becomes the first Zanzibari to heed a call by the Zanzibar Government of National Unity (GNU) on Diaspora to return home to invest in community services and economic sectors.
Speaking to The Guardian on Sunday on Friday Dr Mehta said he has spent $ 570,000 to establish the hospital christened Dr Mehta’s Hospital at the site of a clinic started by his grandfather in a family house at Vuga, Zanzibar Town in 1961.
He said while all general practices for outpatient departments are in full operation at consultation, laboratory tests, treatment unit and pharmaceutical departments, he is now working to secure an ultra sound machine and X-ray at $125,000 before his hospital begins handling major cases.
He said the hospital would provide surgical services to patients with orthopedic, heart and kidney health problems after the arrival of specialist doctors before the end of the year.
Dr Mehta said services at a dental clinic, physiotherapy and emergency departments will start next month to be followed by the opening of two other departments for low cost obstetrics and gynecology services to expectant mothers.
“We want to reduce the burden of cost; expectant mothers are being charged after delivery,” Dr Mehta said. An expectant mother is charged Sh40,000 in government hospitals for every delivery through surgery.
Dr Mehta, who has practiced medical profession in the US for over 10 years, said he has decided to open the hospital to heed an appeal by Zanzibar President Dr Ali Mohamed Shein for Zanzibaris Diaspora to return home to invest in economic and social fields.
President Shein together with Maalim Seif Sharrif Hamad formed the GNU after last year’s general elections in a move that has allowed political dispensation between CCM and CUF to end the long standing historical disharmony in the isles politics.
The two leaders believe that Zanzibari Diaspora who sought green pasture in the United States, Europe and Arab Emirates can now introduce investments to promote growth to create jobs as well as use their expertise to overcome shortage of professionals.
No comments:
Post a Comment