Saifee Hospital Tanzania, in collaboration with Project Rise, a Dawoodi Bohra philanthropic initiative, set up a Kidney health Awareness & screening Camp at Mwinjuma Grounds in the Mwananyamala ward of Dar es Salaam.
The camp was organised on March 8 which is marked globally as World Kidney Day.
Over 500 individuals between the ages of 14 to 90 benefitted from kidney screenings, blood sugar testing and expert consultations which were offered free of charge throughout the day.
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a major non-communicable disease that affects approximately 10% of the worldwide population. In Africa, the prevalence ranges from 12% to 15%, with Tanzania reporting a CKD prevalence of around 7% to 15%, depending on the population studied.
“CKD often progresses silently until it reaches an advanced stage, leading to severe complications, disability, and increased mortality. Risk factors such as diabetes and hypertension make early detection and intervention essential,” said a statement shared by the Hospital.
The camp was attended by the Hon. Dr Godwin Mollel, Deputy Minister for Health, Tanzania, who spoke about the rising prevalence of CKD in the country and the government’s initiatives for preventive healthcare.
The camp attracted a diverse group of community members who participated in the screenings, health education sessions, and physical activity demonstrations. Out of the total 528 participants, 100 people (16.7%) were diagnosed with hypertension, while 98 people (16.4%) had high blood glucose, indicating potential diabetes. Meanwhile, 300 individuals (50.2%) had normal results.
Gasper Amos, a 52 year old resident of Mwananyamala said, “I appreciate the camp because I have never had a kidney ultrasound performed on me, in my entire life.”
While Salima Janga, 48, came to know that she had polycystic kidney disease, Martha Michael, 37, found out that her mother had high blood pressure which was the cause of recently persistent headaches.
Grace Chava, 54, said, “(This is a) nice service and I suggest that we should not provide services only for kidneys but we can do female diseases and cancer awareness camps.”
Dr Abbas Essajee, said, “We encourage people to take steps to protect their health by focusing on quality lifestyles. It is important to drink enough water, eat nutritious food, exercise regularly and attend health screenings at specific periods to detect problems early.”
“This camp is a testament to our dedication to improving the health and well-being of Tanzanians. We are proud to collaborate with Saifee Hospital to launch this annual kidney health program, ensuring continuous support for the community,” said a volunteer from Project Rise.
The camp aligns with Tanzania’s National Health Strategy on preventing non-communicable diseases and kidney disease management, fostering robust partnerships between the government, healthcare providers, and the community.
Saifee Hospital Tanzania and Project Rise have a demonstrated history of successful public health initiatives, including a Diabetes Awareness & Prevention Camp in November of 2024 and extensive Cardiovascular & Hypertension Awareness drives. These efforts have positively impacted over 10,000 individuals annually through free screenings and medical camps, underscoring the vital need for sustained community healthcare investment.