Transforming healthcare in Tanzania: progress report from Geita Regional Referral Hospital

Transforming healthcare in Tanzania: progress report from Geita Regional Referral Hospital

Introduction

Tanzania, a country of approximately 55 million people, faces significant health care challenges, including a shortage of qualified health professionals, limited health infrastructure and limited access to health services . Geita Regional Referral Hospital, located in the west of the country, is one of the public hospitals that provide secondary level health care services to a population of more than 400,000 people. Despite these challenges, Geita Regional Referral Hospital has made significant progress in transforming healthcare in Tanzania, improving patient outcomes and providing quality healthcare services.

Background

Geita Regional Referral Hospital, built in 2016, is a 240-bed hospital that provides emergency obstetric care, intensive care, and specialized medical and surgical services. However, the hospital faced significant challenges, including inadequate staff training, limited equipment and infrastructure, and poor patient care. In response, the hospital embarked on a transformation process aimed at improving quality of care, efficiency and patient outcomes.

Progress report

Geita Regional Referral Hospital has made significant progress in transforming healthcare in Tanzania, with notable achievements in:

Staff training and development

• The hospital has implemented a comprehensive staff training program, which includes basic and advanced life support courses, infection prevention and control training, as well as specialized courses in areas such as life support. trauma and emergency surgery.
• The hospital has also established a mentoring program, in which experienced staff are paired with junior staff to provide guidance and support in their professional development.

Infrastructure development

• The hospital has invested in new equipment and infrastructure, including a new operating room, pediatrics department and maternity ward.
• The hospital also renovated the emergency department, creating a more efficient and comfortable patient care environment.

Patient Care and Outcomes

• The hospital has achieved significant improvements in patient care and outcomes, including:

  • A reduction in maternal mortality rates of 30% over the last two years.
  • A reduction in postoperative complications of 20%.
  • An increase in patient satisfaction rate to more than 90%.

Sustainability strategies

Geita Regional Referral Hospital recognizes that maintaining its transformation progress requires continued efforts to build capacity, improve governance and strengthen partnerships. Some of the sustainability strategies include:

Community engagement

• The hospital engages with local communities to raise awareness about the importance of healthcare and the need to consult a doctor in case of illness.
• The hospital has established a Community Health Advisory Committee, which provides valuable information and feedback from community members.

Collaboration with stakeholders

• The hospital collaborates with various stakeholders, including other government institutions, non-governmental organizations and private healthcare providers, to share knowledge, resources and expertise.

Continuous quality improvement

• The hospital has implemented a continuous quality improvement (CQI) process, which involves regularly evaluating patient care, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing changes to improve the quality of care .

Conclusion

Geita Regional Referral Hospital’s progress report demonstrates its commitment to transforming healthcare in Tanzania. The hospital’s achievements in staff training and development, infrastructure development, and patient care and outcomes demonstrate the power of transformation efforts to improve health services. Sustaining this progress will require continued efforts to build capacity, improve governance and strengthen partnerships. With continued support and investment, Geita Regional Referral Hospital is poised to remain a leader in the provision of high-quality health services in Tanzania.