One of the 1964 Zanzibar revolution goals was to ensure free access to health and medical services for all.

However, for a long time, people have been complaining of the difficult accessibility of health services at hospitals and healthcare centers.

Women who visit the hospitals for delivery services have been complaining of the abusive language from midwives, nurses and doctors as others complained of inadequate medicines and reagents.

However, a light of hope has begun to shine after Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi came to power after successfully winning the last year's general elections.

During the 12 months of his administration, Dr. Mwinyi has been emphasizing access to quick and quality healthcare services for all.

After he took power, Dr. Mwinyi paid a visit to the Mnazimmoja Referral Hospital looking at patient health services, the accountability of staff and the challenges the hospital is facing.

After witnessing many defects, he revoked the appointments of the Director-General in the Health Ministry and the Executive Director of the Hospital.

However, during his one-year tenure, the President managed to change the ugly situation that existed at Mnazimmoja Hospital as well as other district hospitals and healthcare centers.

In an exclusive interview with the members of the public, patients and hospital management, the Mail noticed major changes that were taking place just within a short period.

Sururu Ali Rashid, a patient at the hospital said the services had improved within a short time.

 “This is exactly what we have been looking for. We used to be told there was enough medicine in the hospitals and healthcare centers but in reality, there are no medicines, you were given panadol and you have to buy the rest of the others. However, there is an improvement now,” he said.

He added during his 360 days of the administration, the President had succeeded to restore the discipline in the health sector compared to the past where many people kept on complaining about the type of treatment they were receiving.

Kazija Ali (50) from Matemwe village in Unguja North Region, who went to the hospital to seek cardiac treatment, said the services have so far improved.

Mwanaisha Ali Omar from Chuini, said things have begun to change within a short time.

Zaharani Juma from Mkwajuni, who was referred to Mnazimmoja hospital for treatment, agreed that the quality and quantity of services have improved.

"When you arrive at the hospital you are treated fairly, there are enough medicines although some are still not available. We ask the President to address the problem to ensure the accessibility of all medicines,” he said.

Asha Salim, Assistant superintendent of the emergency unit at the hospital, said they had put in place effective delivery strategies to ensure that every patient who was admitted to the hospital was treated on time.

She said in fulfilling their responsibilities they had planned to perform tests on patients who were referred to the hospital to determine the problems they were facing.

When asked why patients were complaining, she said there were challenges in accessing medical supplies but patients were unaware of them.

The hospital spokesman, Hassan Makame Mcha, said the performance of doctors and staff has dramatically improved.

The head of the diagnostic services unit, Dr. Salim Ismail Salim, said major reforms have been made in the unit adding that more than 150 patients were tested every day compared to the situation 10 years ago.

Dr. Salim commended Dr. Mwinyi for the measures he is taking to strengthen the health sector, especially at the Mnazimmoja.

"There is a transformation in the health sector, workers are free to talk on their challenges,” he said.

The Isles Health Minister, Nassor Ahmed Mazrui said the health sector was improving despite the challenges it was facing, as the Covid-19 outbreak.

"There is significant pace in the health sector during the one year of Dr. Mwinyi's leadership. Complaints have decreased and citizens have regained confidence in health sector professionals,” he said.

Sources: Zanzibar Mail