Description

Government Commissions New Hospital in Olturumet

The newly established Olturumet Hospital, which
started as a health centre in Olturumet village, Arusha
rural District, Tanzania was officially commissioned
by President Mrisho Jakaya Kikwete as a government
hospital in 2011.

The move was facilitated by Community Health Fund
(CHF) in a bid to achieve its objective of reducing
community costs in accessing health services at
health facilities and hospitals. Olturumet Health
Center, which was already implementing the strategy
in Arusha Tanzania, offered the most opportune
circumstances to expand into a fully-fledged hospital.

At the time of commissioning, the hospital had only
53 members. However, through community
sensitization by World Vision International
in partnership with the Tanzanian government, the
CHF membership in the community steadily grew to
418 in 2012 and eventually 500 in 2013.
“Kabla ya uhamasishaji muitikio ulikuwa mdogo ila
baada ya kutoa elimu kwa kushirikia na World vision
idadi imeongezeka kutoka 53(2011),480(2012) na
500(2013)” said Peter (29), CHF facilitator.
The increase in members justified the expansion of
the hospital facilities to include four new specialized
wards, specifically, a pediatric ward, a females-only
ward, a males-only ward and a maternity ward.
According to the Amasidze Bohela, District Nutrition
Officer, the hospital serves 50-60 outpatients daily.

He says,
“Kuna mabadiliko ya Ongezeko la wagojwa kuhudumiwa kutokana na ubora wa huduma inayotolewa hapa Hospitali.”

CHF is one of government of Tanzania national
strategies to support informally employed citizens
and low income earning residents of rural areas.

According to CHF Policy each HH shall contribute
5000-10000 annually for up to a maximum of six
members.