The Benjamin Mkapa Foundation (BMF) is set to raise 1bn/- in a fundraiser as part of the foundation’s activities to commemorate its 10th anniversary.
The amount will be used to improve health services delivery in the country for the benefit of all Tanzanians, especially in areas of HIV/Aids, reproductive, maternal and child healthcare.
Addressing journalists in Dar es Salaam over the weekend, BMF chief executive officer, Dr Ellen Mkondya-Senkoro said her office continues complementing government and other partners’ efforts in strengthening health service delivery in underserved settings.
She said in April 2016 the foundation will commemorate 10 years since it was established by former President Benjamin William Mkapa and the theme will be “A decade of Commitment, Trust and Success in Reaching the Underserved”.
“As part of the celebrations, the foundation will carry out various activities from March to the end of April 2016. The activities include community health service provision, joint field visits, stakeholders’ meeting and a fundraising dinner where the 1bn/- is expected to be raised,” she said.
She said that during the fundraiser it is expected that 150 invited guests will attend and preparations for the event are set to start in Dar es Salaam on April 13.
She said they have been receiving corporate interest, pledges and contributions both in monetary terms and in kind from various companies such as Mohammed Enterprises Tanzania Ltd, Bank M, Clouds Media Group and others.
According to her, the foundation is gratified to have transformed the lives and health of millions of Tanzanians that have been directly and indirectly reached by the organisation.
Dr Senkoro said part of celebrations will involve BMF Board of Trustees and staff together with their families donating blood to the Muhimbili National Hospital, as one of the means of relieving the sufferings by children, pregnant women and patients who need blood.
“We will also provide education, counseling and testing of HIV to patients at public health facilities in Rukwa and Simiyu regions.
School health education related to HIV/Aids and sexual reproductive health will also be provided to two selected schools in the same regions,” she said.
She said the foundation takes pride in its ability to create innovative and sustainable models that address national challenges in the health sector.
“We are proud to have been able to avail employment to more than 1,100 health workers who have served needy areas; provision of scholarship grants to 1,000 students studying allied health courses, and enhancing retention and motivation of health workers through the 480 constructed staff houses in rural health facilities,” she noted.
She further said that the foundation has been able to reach more than 800 health workers trained on effective clinical management of HIV/Aids and maternal health care services.
During the celebrations, the foundation will also officially introduce its new organisational name after switching it from Benjamin W. Mkapa HIV/AIDS Foundation to Benjamin W. Mkapa Foundation.
On her part, BMF Director of Programme Rahel Sheiza said despite the challenges, including indirectly serving and reaching people in need, still they have managed to network with different stakeholders to ensure the they accomplish their mission to contribute in providing health services.
“We promise to do more and reach more people especially in dealing with issues which have been given priority by the government, we started with HIV/Aids and hope to go farther,” she said.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
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