By Business Insider Reporter
Tanzania is taking another significant step toward reducing dependence on overseas medical treatment as the government strengthens efforts to establish advanced cardiac care services, including heart transplantation, within the country.
The Ministry of Health has launched a special publication documenting Tanzania’s journey toward developing heart transplant services, highlighting the progress made by the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI) and the broader ambition to position the country as a regional centre for specialised healthcare.
Speaking during the launch in Dar es Salaam, Minister of Health Mohamed Mchengerwa said the Sixth Phase Government under President Samia Suluhu Hassan remains committed to expanding specialised and super-specialised healthcare services to ensure Tanzanians can access life-saving treatment without having to travel abroad.
The minister said investments made in recent years have significantly transformed the country’s healthcare landscape, with specialised treatment centres now providing services that were previously unavailable within Tanzania.
“I commend JKCI for this initiative, which marks a major step in delivering heart care at both national and international levels. Since this service is now established, it is time to strengthen the necessary infrastructure, legal frameworks and international partnerships to support its sustainability,” Mchengerwa said.
The launch comes at a time when Tanzania is investing heavily in specialised healthcare as part of a broader strategy to improve service delivery, reduce medical referrals abroad and position the country as a destination for medical tourism in East and Central Africa.
Over the past decade, JKCI has emerged as one of the region’s leading cardiac treatment centres, performing complex heart surgeries and providing advanced diagnostic and treatment services. The institute has helped save the country billions of shillings by reducing the number of patients referred overseas for specialised cardiac care.
According to Dr. Evarist Nyawawa, Chairman of the National Heart Transplant Committee at JKCI, the need for heart transplant services continues to grow both globally and locally.
Dr. Nyawawa noted that an estimated 64 million people worldwide suffering from severe heart conditions require heart transplants to survive, underscoring the importance of developing local capacity to provide such services.
“Heart transplantation represents the final stage of treatment for many patients with advanced heart failure who require lifelong care and medication. At JKCI, we have chosen to confront challenges that may appear difficult but are achievable, with the goal of saving more lives within our country,” he said.
He added that successful implementation of heart transplant services would significantly reduce the financial burden associated with sending patients abroad for treatment, while improving access to care for Tanzanians.
Beyond medical infrastructure, Dr. Nyawawa emphasised the need for public awareness and education regarding organ donation and transplantation, saying community understanding and adherence to established legal and ethical frameworks would be critical to the programme’s long-term success.
Healthcare experts argue that strengthening advanced treatment services such as heart transplantation not only improves patient outcomes but also contributes to economic development by reducing foreign healthcare expenditures, retaining specialised medical expertise and creating opportunities for research and innovation.
In a separate event, Minister Mchengerwa officially inaugurated the JKCI Board of Trustees and tasked members with strengthening governance, accountability and institutional performance.
He urged the newly appointed board to execute its responsibilities with professionalism, integrity and patriotism to ensure JKCI continues setting the benchmark for excellence in cardiac care across East and Central Africa. As Tanzania continues to invest in specialised healthcare infrastructure and human capital, the development of heart transplant services signals a new chapter in the country’s efforts to build a world-class healthcare system capable of meeting the evolving needs of its population while enhancing its position within the regional health economy.
