Pongwe Clinic takes first step to improve health care in Tanga

Photo By Master Sgt. Dawn Price | Mr. Ibrahim Msengi, district commissioner, gives a speech during the Pongwe Clinic...... read more read more

Photo By Master Sgt. Dawn Price | Mr. Ibrahim Msengi, district commissioner, gives a speech during the Pongwe Clinic Dedication Ceremony in Tanzania on May 15. The Pongwe Clinic renovation project was funded by Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa in partnership with U.S. Africa Command. The $116,000 renovation project included rehabilitation and conversion of an existing five room section of the clinic, and converted it into a seven room surgical suite. The Pongwe Clinic is essential to the people of Tanga and services more than 11,000 citizens throughout the Pongwe Ward. The surgical suite will improve healthcare in the area and effectively promote regional stability in Tanzania. The service members of CJTF-HOA, headquartered in Djibouti, employ an indirect approach to counter violent extremism. Through a strategy of cooperative conflict prevention the task force helps build the internal capacities of countries at risk to prevail against extremists exploiting instability.  see less | View Image Page

TANGA, TANZANIA

05.15.2009

Story by Master Sgt. Ruby Zarzyczny 

Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa

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TANGA, Tanzania—The foundation for enhanced healthcare and quality of life for the people of Tanga District was completed recently after five existing rooms of the Pongwe Clinic were rehabilitated and converted into a seven-room surgical suite.

American and Tanzania partners took their first step towards improving healthcare in Tanga when they dedicated the newly renovated Pongwe Clinic during a ceremony, May 15.

Before the ceremony started more than a 1000 students and teachers from the local Ziwani Primary and Pongwe Secondary schools, dressed in their school uniforms, paraded up and down the street in front of the ceremony field. Singing and dancing to Ngoma drums, they paraded onto the field to celebrate both Family Day and the dedication of the renovated clinic.

At the dedication, U.S. Chargé d' Affaires Larry André stressed the importance of the partnership between the U.S. military and the Tanzanian People's Defense Force working together to improve medical care for the citizens of Pongwe. The $116,352 renovation project was funded by Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa, headquartered in Djibouti.

"Today's ceremony is the result of a shared vision of the Tanga Regional and District leaders and the medical officers of Pongwe Clinic," said Mr. André. "This collaborative effort was brought to our attention and found support from the American people. Our financial contributions reflect our dedication to improving the lives of Tanzanians and our genuine concern for the health and future of Tanzania."

During the ceremony school children expressed their gratitude for the clinic and appreciation for their families with singing and Ngoma (drums in Swahili) dancing. They also performed a theatrical medial drama during the ceremony.

"It is fitting to have the surgical suite dedicated on Family Day," said Tanga District Commissioner Mr. Ibrahim Msengi. "This clinic can give better care to families and to 11,000 patients of the Tanga Ward. It has been a privilege and an honor to work in this great partnership of cooperation."

"I look forward to working to continue the partnership between Tanzania and the U.S.," he added.

The project was completed in four months by local contractors from Paul and Associates Ltd. Mr. Paul Yegella, managing director for the local construction company, received a certificate of appreciation during the ceremony.

"I am very happy to be a part of improving the medial care in Pongwe that will help save lives," said Mr. Yegella. "Once the medical equipment needed for the surgical suite is installed the people in the Pongwe Region will be able to be treated here and not have to travel 35 kilometers (22 miles) by bus to the Tanga Regional Hospital for emergency care."

The clinic provides outpatient and in patient care, minor surgery, mother and child clinic, labor and delivery and care and treatment for HIV and AIDS.

"We are very happy with the surgical theater," said Dr. Salehe, Pongwe Clinic Assistant Medical Officer. "We are able to practice medicine we couldn't practice previously. Once we have the equipment in the clinic many doctors in the Tanzania will want to practice medicine here."

"We have also been able to increase our HIV/AIDS Voluntary Counseling and Testing and Care and Treatment Counseling and we will be able to provide AIDS treatment locally," he added.

After the dedication ceremony Mr. André took a Bioline HIV test in the clinic to promote and encourage volunteer testing.

"The Bioline HIV test is giving with a simple finger prick test," said Mr. Raphael Mumba, Pongwe Clinic medial assistant. "You get the results in 5 to 10 minutes. If you get a positive HIV test it is confirmed with a blood test."

"All patients are giving pre-test counseling and advance HIV counseling if their test is positive," he continued. "Then they are transferred to Boa Hospital for treatment. With the refurbished clinic they will be able to be treated here."

Having the renovated clinic will help improve the health care in the area and will help reduce child mortality and travel time to get medical care, said Dr. Salehe. The healthcare providers at the clinic were very grateful and promised to use it effectively.

The work of CJTF-HOA and U.S Army Civil Affairs teams contributes to the U.S. Government efforts to promote a better future for all Tanzanians through projects to improve the quality of life for the citizens of our partner nation. This development project is part of a strategy to promote cooperative conflict prevention, and contribute to the task force's overall mission to build security capacity, promote regional cooperation, and protect coalition interests to prevail against violent extremists activities.