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Dental school, US NGO in oral healthcare project collaboration
2008-09-24 09:21:32
By Guardian Reporter
UNITED States-based, non-profit organisation Miracle Corners of the World (MCW) has announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) to collaborate on a project to improve oral healthcare in Tanzania.
According to a press statement issued by the American embassy in Dar es Salaam yesterday as part of the agreement, MUHAS` School of Dentistry would receive new state-of-the-art equipment in early 2009.
The MoU, accompanied by a signed letter of support from the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, was signed earlier this week by Professor Kisali Pallangyo, MUHAS vice-chancellor, said the statement.
``The agreement builds on a direct request from President Kikwete in January 2007 to equip the East African region`s only dental school following a roundtable discussion on investment and trade at the NASDAQ Stock Market,`` read the statement in part.
It added that since then, Dr. Emil Kikwilu, dean of the School of Dentistry, Dr. Marion Bergman, MCW oral healthcare programme director, and other stakeholders had conducted a needs assessment, identified project partners, secured funds, and developed plans for equipment installation and personnel training.
MCW, in cooperation with Midmark Dental Components, Inc., (DCI), Henry Schein Cares and other corporate donors, would upgrade the school\'s technical facilities, it said.
``US-based technicians will travel to Dar es Salaam to begin installation, including operational training, maintenance and equipment repair, in spring 2009. Valued at nearly USD 2 million (approximately 2.3bn/-), the donation of the equipment and technical expertise represented one of the largest donations to the school,`` said the statement.
``If we succeed in training students at a high level, there will be a strong multiplier effect in terms of oral health,`` Prof Pallangyo is quoted as saying in the statement.
The project, said the statement, wold be managed and executed by a joint Tanzanian and US team comprising various stakeholders appointed by MUHAS dean Kikwilu and MCW executive director Eddie Bergman.
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