Official Opening of the Rotary Pediatric Oncology Ward

Rotarians with Bank M every year organize the "Rotary Dar Marathon" and the ward was built from the proceeds of the marathon of year 2011 and 2012 along with support from Rotary International and a Rotary club in Belgium. 

In 2009, childhood cancer survival in Tanzania was only 12%!  Although there was a facility for children with cancer there was severe over-crowding in the wards and it did not have adequate medical facilities for cancer treatment. Some children did not survive the cancer due to cross infections they were exposed to due to over crowding where there were 3-4 kids to a bed. Rotary became aware of the bleak situation, and our instinctive and emotional reaction was…  “What can we do to help these kids survive " .We were also told that most childhood cancer are curable if detected early enough and properly treated with good medical care  and hence our decision to build a "Rotary Pedriatic Oncology Ward" 

The childhood cancer survival rate in Tanzania has now soared to 55%.  A HUGE improvement due excellent care and services given by Doctors and nurses at the ward , but still well below where it could and should be.  In more developed countries, childhood cancer survival rates average around 80% and with the ward built by Rotarians this surely will be the case.

The new oncology ward we have built has approximately 400 sqmts of space with 23 beds and is built with 5 isolation wards where negative air pressure is maintained. The sick kids whose cells have been replaced will be kept in isolation rooms and these rooms have been fitted with special air pressure systems. Also every bed has been provided with piped oxygen and this means no child will have to be at the mercy of decision making on who will receive oxygen in times of need. 

The cost of the ward with furniture and equipment is 1.2 Billion shillings + VAT and we thank all donors in Tanzania for having come forward with your support. We are proud of what we have achieved with the strong support of our community.  Together, we’ve built one of the best pediatric oncology wards in Sub Saharan Africa… something that will save and change lives for generations to come!