DAR ES SALAAM: THE Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI) has received international recognition after winning a prestigious Global Leadership and Excellence Award, strengthening Tanzania’s position as an emerging destination for specialised healthcare and boosting efforts to promote medical tourism. The award, which recognises JKCI’s excellence in cardiac care, medical training and research, is expected to increase confidence among international patients seeking advanced and affordable heart treatment in Tanzania. Speaking to Sunday News ahead of the award presentation yesterday, JKCI Executive Director, Dr Peter Kisenge, said the recognition reflects the institute’s remarkable progress in transforming cardiovascular services and placing Tanzania on the global healthcare map.
He said JKCI was selected following a rigorous assessment process that evaluated leading healthcare institutions and professionals from different parts of the world based on service delivery, innovation, leadership and social impact. “JKCI was selected because of its remarkable achievements in providing advanced cardiac care, training healthcare professionals and conducting research,” Dr Kisenge said. He said the institute’s ability to provide complex heart procedures that were previously unavailable in Tanzania, reduce overseas medical referrals, strengthen local specialists’ capacity and serve patients from across Africa contributed to its recognition.
“This recognition confirms that the government’s investment in improving healthcare services is producing internationally recognised results. It raises Tanzania’s profile as a centre of excellence for specialised healthcare in Africa and motivates us to continue delivering worldclass services,” Dr Kisenge said. He added that the award would support Tanzania’s medical tourism ambitions by enhancing the country’s reputation among patients from neighbouring countries and beyond.
“As more of our health institutions gain global recognition, more patients from other countries will choose Tanzania for treatment. This will benefit the health sector, tourism industry and the national economy through increased foreign exchange earnings while positioning Tanzania as a leading centre for specialised healthcare in East and Central Africa,” he said. JKCI’s long-term vision is to become an internationally accredited centre for cardiovascular care, …
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