TANZANIA Association of Tour Operators (TATO) has raised more than 100m/- to support heart surgery for underprivileged children at the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI).

The initiative aims to fund critical surgeries for 20 children suffering from congenital heart defects.

TATO’s contributions reflect its commitment to corporate social responsibility, emphasizing a positive impact on lives, conservation, and economic growth.

“Our members, primarily travel companies, have collectively raised 101,932,080 to provide life-saving heart surgeries for children at JKCI,” stated TATO Chairman Wilbard Chambulo during a cheque presentation to Dr Tatizo Waane, Director of Cardiology Services at JKCI.

The event took place in Arusha, coinciding with the commemoration of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Day earlier this week.

Chambulo highlighted the travel industry’s role in community support, noting that the initiative marks the second such effort, following a previous donation of 120m/- made by his company, Tanganyika Wilderness Camps, in 2018.

He also acknowledged Fransisca Masika, TATO’s Public Relations Sub-Committee chairperson for her leadership in this year’s fundraising campaign.

“I am immensely proud of our members for their generosity in saving 20 lives. Thank you for your commitment to this noble cause,” he said.

TATO Executive Director Elirehema Maturo spoke of the association’s growth since its founding in 1983, when it started with just 35 members.

 It has since expanded to over 300 members, representing approximately 78.48 percent of all licensed tour operators in Tanzania.

Dr Waane expressed gratitude on behalf of JKCI, praising TATO for its invaluable support, adding that the cost of a single heart surgery ranges from 8m/- to 15m/ and there are 1,500 underprivileged children awaiting heart surgery at JKCI.

In Tanzania, eight out of every 1,000 children are born with heart defects, with a quarter requiring urgent treatment. Most of the children do not survive their first year due to lack of recognition and access to care.

Globally, approximately 15 million children die each year from potentially treatable or preventable cardiac diseases, primarily due to inadequate access to medical care.