Former President Dr. Jakaya Kikwete presents an award to NMB CEO Ruth Zaipuna after the bank donated Sh1 billion to support children's heart disease treatment at the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute during a fundraising event in Dar es Salaam. Photo: Courtesy
By Adonis Byemelwa
Dar es Salaam-- Former President Jakaya Kikwete has commended health sector stakeholders for raising Sh2.71 billion to support the treatment of 1,500 children in need of life-saving heart care. At the fundraising event, NMB Bank contributed Sh1 billion to assist children receiving treatment at the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI).
Expressing his gratitude on November 2, 2024, at an event held in Dar es Salaam, President Kikwete highlighted that these funds will bolster the government’s efforts to improve the nation’s capacity to treat heart conditions locally.
Organized jointly by JKCI and the Heart Team Africa Foundation (HTAF), the event carried the theme, “Bring Light, Touch a Heart, Give Hope to Children’s Lives.”
This substantial contribution marks a pivotal moment in the country’s healthcare landscape. Heart disease treatment abroad incurs high costs that burden families and the government. This was a primary reason for JKCI’s establishment, enabling a growing number of children to access care within Tanzania.
Currently, the government covers 70 percent of treatment expenses, leaving families to shoulder the remaining 30 percent (roughly Sh4 million), a significant cost for many households.
Kikwete praised NMB’s generous support, pointing out that the bank’s Sh1 billion donations will directly benefit nearly 250 children, including approximately 500 who require urgent surgeries. This targeted assistance underscores the value of coordinated efforts in bridging healthcare access gaps.
NMB’s CEO, Ruth Zaipuna, applauded Kikwete’s visionary founding of JKCI to address the pressing needs of Tanzanians facing heart disease. “This donation will allow parents who cannot afford costly heart treatments to access vital care for their children,” Zaipuna noted, adding that NMB also plans to collaborate with JKCI to raise awareness of heart health in communities.
Dr. Peter Kisenge, JKCI’s Executive Director, echoed Zaipuna’s sentiments, commending both the former president’s commitment to health and the current administration under President Samia Suluhu Hassan for their continued support in expanding health services and systems.
Since its establishment in 2015, JKCI has performed over 688,000 procedures, becoming a beacon of heart care not only in Tanzania but also in neighboring East African nations.
Heart disease remains one of the most critical health challenges, particularly for children in need of advanced cardiac care. Complications can be severe and often life-threatening, requiring early intervention and highly specialized procedures that are beyond the means of many families.
The high costs associated with sending patients abroad for treatment underscore the importance of local institutions like JKCI. By providing these services domestically, JKCI reduces financial strain on families while expanding access to life-saving care.
HTAF’s Chairman and Tanzania’s Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mussa Zungu, expressed his gratitude to Kikwete for his enduring contributions to the health sector, remarking that JKCI has become a vital resource not only for Tanzania but also for patients from across East and Central Africa. This cross-border reliance on JKCI reflects the institute’s growing reputation and the pressing need for heart health services throughout the region.
This event signifies a critical step toward transforming Tanzania’s healthcare capacity, offering hope to families grappling with the impact of heart disease. The funds raised will enable JKCI to continue advancing its services, easing access to crucial treatments and positioning Tanzania as a leader in heart care across East Africa.