The National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR), through the PEN PLUS project, has recommended to delivering specialized services for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in district hospitals across the country. The initiative aims to improve public health and reduce the burden of NCDs.
This was stated today on 23rd September, 2024 in Morogoro during a workshop focused on sharing experience and findings from PEN PLUS project on NCDs conducted in Kondoa and Karatu districts. The primary goal of the meeting was to discuss recommendations for improving the implementation framework of the PEN PLUS project, which NIMR has been executing.
Initial research findings have shown that the PEN PLUS project has enhanced the provision of NCD services at lower health facility levels, meeting the demand for early detection and treatment through community sensitization and improving the capacity to diagnose diseases at primary health centers.
In his opening speech NIMR Director General, Prof. Said Aboud, highlighted that the PEN Plus project offers an opportunity to reshape how services are delivered at primary health centers, providing more support to the community level with a focus on prevention, early diagnosis, treatment, and reducing the complications that often come with high costs for patients, families, and the Government.
Prof. Aboud emphasized that if specialized services for NCDs are extended to district-level health centers and communities are involved through educational outreach, it will help reduce the costs and impact associated with NCD. “NIMR role is to conduct research, but the research findings are most beneficial when they can influence decision-making, policy changes and ultimately improve the health care services provided to Tanzanians” said Prof. Aboud.
Prof. Aboud also urged the public to adhere to various interventions regarding NCDs including avoiding smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, unhealthy diets, engaging in regular physical activity, and undergoing frequent health check-up.
Additionally, Dr. Omary Mbuguyu, the Assistant Director for Non-Communicable Diseases, Mental Health, and Injuries at the Ministry of Health, stated that there is a great need for these services at the district level as NCDs have significantly increased, especially among children including diseases such as diabetes mellitus type 1, sickle cell disease and heart diseases in children (rheumatic heart disease).
Dr. Mbuguyu further noted that the initial findings have provided insight into the fundamental ways to successfully implement the project, including improving training for service providers, ensuring the availability of essential equipment for disease diagnosis, availability of medications, and community involvement to identify patients early and raise awareness of proper treatment follow-up.
NIMR Director of Research Information and Regulatory Affair and the PI of Project Dr. Mary Mayige, explained that the main goal of the research was to address the challenges faced by NCD patients, including traveling long distances to seek specialized services that require more expertise in regional, zonal, and national hospitals.
Dr. Mayige added that the preliminary findings show that more than 80% of referrals have decreased in health centers where the project has been implemented. This is due to the provision of medical equipment and the deployment of specialist doctors who provide services and training to doctors in these health centers.
Dr. Heriel Zacharia, the Chief Medical Officer of Karatu Lutheran Hospital, expressed his gratitude to NIMR for selecting their hospital for the implementation of the PEN PLUS project, stating that they have greatly benefited from the positive outcomes of this research study. These include capacity-building for hospital doctors and assisting more patients in avoiding NCDs.
Agnes Michael Eppa, a resident of Kinihhe, Karatu, and also a beneficiary of the PEN PLUS project, commended NIMR and the Government for recognizing the challenges of NCDs, especially for children, and for bringing services closer to district-level health centers. She shared how the project has helped her child, who was in a critical condition but she is now recovering well, with no limitations caused by the disease.
The two-day workshop brought together researchers, trainers, policy makers, health professionals, officials from the President’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (TAMISEMI), health facility representatives, and project beneficiaries. Dr
The PEN PLUS project, under NIMR, is focused on researching ways to improve NCD service delivery in district hospitals.