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| Muhimbili hospital to become a hub for health innovation in Africa. |
The National Hospital of Muhimbili (MNH) has made history by becoming the first institution in East Africa to successfully perform cochlear implants for 103 children. This milestone was witnessed today, September 29, 2025, following the official activation of 16 devices for children suffering from hearing impairments.
During the event, MNH's Executive Director, Dr. Delilah Kimambo, stated that this service has positioned Tanzania as a leader in the East African Community by providing such services through a public hospital, something that had long seemed like a dream.
"The cochlear implant service officially began in the country in June 2017. Prior to that, the government had to send children with hearing issues abroad, which cost approximately 120 million shillings for each child," Dr. Kimambo explained.
Since the inception of this service in the country, a total of 34 children received treatment between June 2017 and February 2021 at a cost of 46 million shillings per child, which helped the government save over 2.5 billion shillings.
In just four years under the leadership of President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, 69 children have received these implants, a number that is 138% of the children who were sent abroad in the previous 16 years.
"The government has spent 3.1 billion shillings to assist 69 children in receiving this service locally. If we had sent those children abroad, the cost would have reached 8.2 billion shillings. This means we have saved over 5 billion shillings, allowing many more children to regain their hearing sooner," she elaborated.
Additionally, Dr. Kimambo noted that the key to this success lies in investing in the training of local doctors, as these services are now provided 100% by local professionals.
Also, the presence of the 'first modern laboratory' in East Africa and the Ear Surgery Training Center at the hospital has strengthened Tanzania's position as a hub of expertise on the African continent, a move that will promote the availability of sustainable and more affordable services for the citizens.