Switzerland and Ifakara share a rich and peculiar history which is nearly a century old. The St. Francis Hospital and a number of other health institutions in Ifakara have formed partnerships over the last several decades with various Swiss institutions including the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH) and SolidarMed. SDC is contributing TZS 17 billion (USD 7.8 million) over a period of five years (2012 -2017) to support a comprehensive programme that includes construction and rehabilitation of hospital structures, procurement of medical equipment, improvement of ICT systems, and improvement of quality of services, administration and management.
In his remarks, H. E. Ambassador Sager appreciated the efforts of many individuals and institutions that have been working tirelessly to improve the hospital. “The new building is just a part of the solution, skilled human resources and organisational effectiveness are also paramount in delivering quality health services,” he said. Others present at the inauguration were Morogoro Regional Commissioner Dr. Kebwe S. Kebwe, Kilombero District Commissioner Mr. James Ihunyo, Swiss Ambassadors H.E. Florence Tinguely Mattli and H.E. Arthur Mattli, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ifakara H.E. Salutaris Melchior Libena, SDC Director of Southern Africa, East and North Africa, Occupied Palestinian Territory Division Mr. Siegfried Gerhard, Head of Cooperation at the Embassy of Switzerland in Tanzania Ms. Romana Tedeschi, and Head of Health Sector Domain at the Embassy of Switzerland in Tanzania Dr. Thomas Teuscher.
About St. Francis Hospital
The St. Francis Hospital is located in Ifakara, in the south-central part of Tanzania. The hospital was founded as a dispensary by the Swiss Baldegg sisters in the 1920s and is owned by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ifakara. SFRH has a capacity of 370 beds and offers a wide range of health services including specialised care. St. Francis Hospital was among 10 faith-based hospitals that were officially upgraded by the Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children (MoHCDGEC) to become Referral Hospital at Regional Level in 2012.
