THE Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI) and NMB Bank yesterday signed a four-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) tying up 1bn/- for the provision of free cardiac treatment for underprivileged children.

JKCI executive director Dr Peter Kisenge said at the signing ceremony in Dar es Salaam yesterday that the pact is extended for four years, where the bank provides 250m/- annually in financial support for children with heart conditions needing care at JKCI.

The partnership aligns with the bank’s corporate social investment (CSI) strategy, intended to ease the burden on parents of children born with heart complications.

Upwards of 13,800 children are born with heart conditions, many of whom face life-threatening risks due to the high costs of cardiac treatment, he said, expressing gratitude for the support.

The MoU signifies another milestone in the often renewed partnership, he stated, acknowledging considerable government efforts in the past few years which has helped JKCI to excel at the regional level.

“This new MoU marks a new dawn in our partnership with NMB Bank. It will help enhance service delivery and bring our services closer to grassroots communities,” the top medic declared, underlining that the mutual outreach program has reached 17 regions this year, providing care to 17,000 heart patients.

Abdulmarik Mollel, a JKCI trustee, affirmed that over 1,500 children diagnosed with heart conditions and listed for treatment had the bank organize a fundraising gala on November 2, 2023, to obtain the needed support.

“In the past, 95 percent of heart patients had to travel abroad for treatment. This trend has shifted, with 95 percent now receiving treatment locally,” he said, while Ruth Zaipuna, the NMB Bank chief executive officer, said the MoU is a milestone, providing new hope for children with heart conditions.

“Cardiac treatment costs are exceptionally high, and while the government covers 70 percent of the expenses, we feel privileged as a bank to complement the government’s efforts by addressing the remaining 30 percent, about 4m/- per child,” she stated.

The bank will empower JKCI cardiac specialists to run awareness programmes for the bank's key stakeholders, including employees and customers, she said, hailing JKCI and Heart Team Africa Foundation (HTAF) for their collaboration,

Their work in advancing cardiac treatment was exceptional, while the bank’s commitment to support the institute was unwavering. Other institutions need to contribute to exceptional healthcare sector efforts, she added.