In October 2024, I was granted the opportunity to visit a hospital in Ilula, a town near the children's village. This visit was made possible thanks to Dr. Mirjam Triebel, a German pediatrician working with Christian Professionals International e.V. (Coworkers) at the Ilula Lutheran Hospital.
In this way, I was able to get to know the hospital’s facilities and staff. I also participated in a lecture for students being trained to become Clinical Officers. The topic of the lecture was "Respiratory tract infections."
During the tour of the various buildings and departments of the hospital, two facts particularly surprised me:
In Tanzania, everyone has free access to vaccinations, healthcare services for malaria and HIV, and preventive check-ups for newborns and children. However, access to food and clean drinking water is often not guaranteed. In this regard, a hospitalized patient relies heavily on support from their close social circle.
In Tanzanian culture, however, it goes without saying that sick people should never be left to fend for themselves, especially at home.
In addition to the state-funded medical services mentioned above, every further medical treatment requires payment. If the cost of a treatment is unaffordable for an individual under any circumstances, financial assistance can be applied for. This fund is supported by donations—a truly special initiative. Many other hospitals in Tanzania do not offer such support.
Now, just under half a year later—in May 2025—maternal waiting homes funded by donations were completed. At the time of my visit, the buildings were still under construction. The maternal waiting homes provide accommodation for pregnant women, especially those from remote areas, in close proximity to the hospital before their due date. This arrangement allows for early medical intervention in case of complications during childbirth, contributing to a reduction in maternal and newborn mortality rates, while also improving access to professional obstetric care.
I am very grateful that I was able to gain an insight into the workings of a Tanzanian hospital—the experiences will remain with me for a long time to come.
*a Clinical Officer is a medical professional and an established occupation within Tanzania’s healthcare system. While not a physician, a Clinical Officer is comprehensively trained medically to diagnose illnesses, provide treatments, and prescribe medications. The training typically lasts three to four years.
Hospitiation von Hannah M. im Ilula Hospital