Tanzania to build largest kidney transplant centre in Sub-Saharan Africa
The project was formalised on Monday when Tanzania and Japan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the sidelines of the World Expo Osaka 2025.
Tanzania is set to establish a modern kidney transplant and training centre at the Benjamin Mkapa Zonal Referral Hospital in Dodoma, following a capital grant injection of Sh1.3 billion from Japan's Tokushukai Medical Corporation.
The project was formalised on Monday when Tanzania and Japan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the sidelines of the World Expo Osaka 2025.
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Upon completion, the centre, which will be developed in collaboration with the University of Dodoma (UDOM), will become the largest of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa.
According to Benjamin Mkapa Hospital Executive Director Prof Abel Makubi, the project, which is set to begin later this year and expected to be completed within three years, is poised to make Tanzania a key regional destination for kidney transplant services.
"This MoU establishes a centre of excellence for kidney transplantation in Tanzania and across the Sahara region," Prof Makubi said, according to The Citizen.
"We are grateful to the Government of Japan through these stakeholders, and we thank President Samia Suluhu Hassan for creating a conducive environment that has made this partnership possible," he said.
Apart from offering kidney transplant services, the centre will similarly train medical specialists and carry out critical research aimed at curbing the surge in kidney diseases. The Benjamin Mkapa Hospital and UDOM will oversee the training initiative.
"With this agreement, we will also train professionals on how to manufacture and maintain medical equipment to extend its lifespan and reduce costs," said UDOM Vice Chancellor Prof Lugano Kusiluka
Kusiluka added that the new centre will eventually broaden its services to include other types of organ transplants.
Alongside the kidney centre agreement, UDOM, Benjamin Mkapa Hospital, and Japan's Africa Economic and Development Association (AFRECO) also signed a separate MoU.
This was one of six agreements inked between Tanzanian government bodies and Japanese partners at the forum, involving both mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.
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