Abbott Fund Expand Commitment to Improving Health Care in Tanzania

July 6, 2007
By Naftali Mungai and Duncan Mboyah in Arusha

Abbot Fund has announced a new multi – million dollar initiative aimed at equipping all the 23 regional hospital laboratories in Tanzania.

According to the fund’s chairman and chief executive, Mr. Miles White, the initiative that comes barely after extensive laboratory renovations at Dar’s Muhimbili National Hospital will also extend advanced diagnostic capabilities to every region. The fund is a United States based international humanitarian initiative.

He said that the improvements will be done on the recommendations of the hospital management and may include renovating laboratories and training staff in laboratory management and instruments use and management.

Speaking during the launch of a modern laboratory at Mount Arusha Hospital recently, Mr. White also revealed that the fund has also donated 1 million rapid HIV tests to boost efforts of a new HIV testing campaign launched by President Jakaya Kikwete.

Tanzania’s minister for Health and Social Welfare Prof David Mwakyusa thanked the fund for the support they have continued to give the East African country adding that by December 2007, Abbot’s support in Tanzania will reach USD 50 million.

He said that the opening of the USD 698,000 laboratory signifies greater foresight in supporting the health sector in the country.

Prof. Mwakyusa observed that Tanzania with 7 per cent of its people infected with HIV Aids is one of the countries that are hardest hit with the scourge. He noted that the country’s fight against the scourge is being worsened by lack of modern laboratories and trained personnel.

The minister revealed that 111 Tanzanian doctors have left the country for greener pastures hence creating a gap in provision of the medical care.

He however appealed to medical experts from other countries to apply for jobs in a bid to help bridge the gap adding that the government is in the process of improving facilities and staff salaries.

He further said that Tanzania trains 200 medical doctors yearly at a cost of Tshs. 40 million per person.

The fund has provided rapid HIV tests free to organizations in 69 countries worldwide that provide quality voluntary HIV counseling and testing.

With the rapid HIV testing, any health facility in remote parts of the country can obtain results regardless of access to laboratory equipment or electricity.

Since 2001, Abbott has provided rapid HIV tests at no profit to any organization providing quality voluntary HIV counseling and testing (VCT) services in 69 countries, including all of Africa and the world’s Least Developed Countries.

With rapid HIV testing, any hospital or program in a remote setting can obtain results regardless of access to laboratory equipment or electricity. To date, Abbott has shipped more than 70 million rapid HIV tests across Africa at no profit.

Abbott also is the only company that donates rapid HIV tests to Prevent Mother To-Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV in 69 countries. Enabling pregnant women to learn their HIV status is a critical step in achieving prevention – local programs can then provide HIV – positive women with free and convenient treatment to prevent the transmission of HIV to their children. To date, Abbott has donated more than 5 million rapid HIV tests to PMTCT programs across Africa.

Improving the country’s hospital laboratories is fundamental to improving care in Tanzania; these laboratories provide testing services crucial for diagnosis, prevention, treatment and ongoing disease monitoring of HIV/AIDS, as well as diabetes, heart disease and many other conditions.

These new initiatives build on Abbott Funds $50 million+ investment in a unique public – private partnership with the Government of Tanzania to strengthen the country’s health care system. Abbott Fund has improved the government’s national HIV treatment program, expanding HIV testing and treatment capabilities at more than 90 health centers and rural clinics – bringing HIV care to people in some remote villages for the first time.

Through these programs, nearly one in three people on HIV treatment in Tanzania are receiving care at facilities that have benefited from Abbott Fund support. Abbott Fund also recently opened a new program office in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, to manage its extensive HIV/AIDS philanthropic efforts and partnerships in the country.

The new office is the first outside Abbott Fund’s US headquarters, and the first and only corporate foundation office in Tanzania.

The hospital can now provide automated testing crucial for the diagnosis and continued monitoring of HIV/AIDS and many other diseases. Improvements have tripled capacity at the laboratory, which is now able to serve up to 150 patients each day versus just 45 patients prior to the renovations. In addition, specialized Abbott employee volunteers have provided technical training and support for lab staff and clinicians.