FIFTEEN specialist doctors in Manyara Region are set to launch medical camps aimed at providing medical services to residents in all municipal councils across the region.

Queen Sendiga, Manyara Regional Commissioner, announced this yesterday during a press briefing, saying the initiative is designed to help residents avoid high costs associated with travelling long distances for treatment.

She said the first phase of the initiative is set to begin from November 19 to 22 in Simanjiro District, providing residents with a more affordable and accessible alternative to travelling for medical care.

She said that the region has opted to utilise its own pool of specialist doctors to directly serve communities rather than relying solely on deployment of specialists as part of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s nationwide health initiative.

“The region has decided to leverage local resources and employ our own specialist doctors to treat patients in all districts,” she said.

She noted that the camps will operate in each district since every municipal council in the region has a district hospital and well-equipped health centres to support the initiative.

The clinics will offer a wide range of services, including surgery, gynaecology and obstetrics, ophthalmology as well as hypertension and diabetes management, and paediatric care.

 “We aim to improve diagnosis and management of chronic diseases affecting our residents while also building the capacity of our health professionals in municipal councils,” she said.

Sendiga also announced that Roberts and Friends, a U.S.-based medical organisation, will send 20 specialist doctors to Manyara in February 2025 to provide additional expertise and care to residents.

She encouraged residents of Manyara and neighbouring regions to take advantage of the opportunity to receive specialized medical services.

“The visiting specialists will bring medical equipment to support provision of care but will also use locally available resources,” Sendiga said.

Dr Andrew Method, Manyara Regional Medical Officer, highlighted the significance of the initiative, noting that the presence of local specialists will be a ‘game changer’.

He said the specialist will not only provide direct care in every district but also offer training to district-level medical professionals to enhance the overall healthcare capacity in the region.