A Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health and Sanitation delegation has hailed the government’s major investment in cardiac treatment, something which attracts people from various African countries to come for the service.

The delegation yesterday visited the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI) to learn where it expressed intention of bringing in Tanzania heart patients for treatment at the Institute.

It is led by Sartie Kenneh, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health and Sanitation who, during his remarks, expressed happiness to come to JKCI and learn the great work of heart treatment which is backed by major investment in medical equipment.

Keneth praised the government for the large investment made at JKCI to facilitate the treatment of diseases for citizens from various African countries and promised to continue to cooperate with Tanzania to establish such treatment.

“We have learnt many things in the way of providing quality medical services to patients, the cooperation between the employees of the JKCI institution to achieve the goal of quality services, so we will continue to strengthen cooperation,” he said.

He said that due to the quality of services they saw at JKCI, their country will bring their patients to be treated there to reduce the cost of transporting patients to Europe and India.

Dr Peter Kisenge, JKCI executive director said the visit aims to develop cooperation in heart treatment between Tanzania and Sierra Leone, which is the mission of President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan to promote medical tourism.

He said the delegation arrived in the country to learn about the investment in heart treatment and the distribution of medicines and medical equipment from the Medical Store Department (MSD).

Dr Kisenge further said the experts have learned great and strong work practices from JKCI staff, including how to care for patients in critical condition.

He explained that the visit was a big step that fulfils the goals of the President Samia to promote medical tourism in the country due to the large investment the government has made in the health sector.

Dr Delila Kimambo, JKCI director of integrative medicine said the success of the institute is triggered with great collaboration between employees with the institute.

“These achievements seen in the provision of high quality services are not the efforts of one person, but are the result of the cooperation of all employees to ensure that we reach the intended goals,” she said.

She said they will continue to strengthen cooperation with various countries to attract them to bring patients to be treated at the institute.