Speech by Her Excellency Mariam Mwinyi, First Lady of Zanzibar, at the opening of the Aga Khan Polyclinic in Zanzibar

Princess Zahra Aga Khan, Chair of the Executive Committee of the Aga Khan Health Services,

Honourable Simai Mohammed Said, Minister of Tourism and Heritage,

Honourable Hassan Khamis Hafidh, Deputy Minister of Health,

Dr Gijs Walraven, Director of Health, the Aga Khan Development Network,

Mr Amin Habib, Chairman, Board of Directors of Aga Khan Health Services Tanzania,

Dr Zeenat Sulaiman, Regional Chief Executive Officer of Aga Khan Health Services, East Africa,

Mr Amin Kurji, Resident Representative of Aga Khan Development Network,

Honourable Nabil Hajlaoui, French Ambassador to Tanzania,

Heads of public and private institutions,

Development partners, religious leaders, members of the press, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, Asalaam alaikum.

Princess Zahra, karibu Zanzibar tena. It is an honour having you back in this short while.

We gather here today to celebrate a momentous occasion, the official opening of the Aga Khan Polyclinic in Stone Town, Zanzibar. I express my deep appreciation to His Highness the Aga Khan, Princess Zahra Aga Khan, and the Aga Khan Development Network for their exceptional commitment to enhancing the health and well-being of the communities worldwide and Zanzibar in particular.

Princess Zahra, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Zanzibar is very committed to ensuring the best health outcomes of all its citizens. The government recognises the importance of access to quality healthcare services and is committed to strengthening the provision of such services at all levels of the healthcare system. I take this opportunity to thank the healthcare workers of Zanzibar for their tireless efforts in providing essential healthcare services to the people of this beautiful island.

Princess Zahra Aga Khan, Ladies and Gentlemen,

The healthcare sector in Zanzibar has been undergoing a massive transformation, resulting in an improved health system at all levels which include primary, secondary and referral health services with a network of 172 primary health care units distributed among the island's 11 districts and providing health services to approximately 1.8 million residents. We are currently developing ten new district hospitals and one regional hospital – the Nyumba Regional Hospital.

The Nyumba Regional Hospital, comprising of 200 beds, is the single largest health investment in this country. Our total investment in health care in this administration so far is over 100 billion Tanzanian shillings or approximately 42 million US dollars.

In line with constructing the plan for 2021 to 2025, the government is working to expand the capacity and quality of healthcare facilities to improve public health service delivery. Our key priorities are improving the provision and delivery of quality reproductive, maternal, neonatal, child and adolescent health services, as well as ensuring the availability of qualified and specialised human resource.

In addition, we are also working towards the availability of digital healthcare systems.

The Government also acknowledges and recognises the growing and important role of the private investors that invest in health services to combat diseases and improve healthcare services.

Princess Zahra Aga Khan, Ladies and Gentlemen,

We recognise and value the relationship of the Government of Zanzibar with the Aga Khan Development Network which extends over 100 years.

The Aga Khan Development Network has been contributing to poverty alleviation, education, health care, economic development and cultural restoration in Tanzania both on the mainland and in Zanzibar. We welcome the Aga Khan Polyclinic as a significant investment in the healthcare infrastructure. With state of the art equipment and highly skilled healthcare professionals, this centre will provide a wide range of essential healthcare services from preventive care, emergency treatment to specialised medical care. Hence, the Polyclinic will play a vital role in contributing to significant health outcomes in Zanzibar.

I must say, I have seen it. I was reading from my speech as they wrote, but I’ve seen it. It’s a magnificent facility. I didn’t expect to see all the services that we have seen, especially the dialysis. I thought it was just a clinic, an outpatient clinic. Yes, it is, but well-equipped with modern facilities.

I am very grateful for this unit, as not only will it impact on our community, but also with our tourists that are coming. It's going to bring comfort. And I think we should really talk about this more so that everybody will know that when they come to Zanzibar, they don't have to worry.

And we appreciate your investment in this Polyclinic and invite you to continue to enhance the Aga Khan Development Network presence in Zanzibar. And, I don't know, maybe start with opening an office. That would be lovely. We would be happy to welcome you to consider other investments in Zanzibar, but especially welcome your presence in areas such as economic investment, heritage and social development.

Aga Khan Development Network can also consider developing additional primary medical centres in Unguja and Pemba, training and building capacity of medical personnel, and eventually even building a secondary healthcare institution. I know this Polyclinic is liaising with the Aga Khan Hospital in Dar. But our comfort is we feel we have our own facility in Zanzibar, that will be wonderful.

Princess Zahra Aga Khan, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Once again, I would like to express my deep gratitude to His Highness the Aga Khan, Princess Zahra Aga Khan and the Aga Khan Development Network and its development partners, particularly the French Development Agency, AFD, for their ongoing efforts to support the United Republic of Tanzania in implementing our national priorities. I also want to thank everyone involved in creating this incredible facility. From the talented architects who designed the building, to the skilled construction workers who renovated it while preserving its traditional and architectural heritage, to the dedicated healthcare professionals who will serve this community.

Princess Zahra, distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Before I conclude my speech, may I take this opportunity to extend a warm invitation to His Highness the Aga Khan to visit Zanzibar in the near future. Would you, Princess, kindly convey to him this message: Karibu Sana Zanzibar.

His Excellency Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi, the President of Zanzibar also extends his warm greetings to His Highness the Aga Khan. We would be deeply honoured to have you visit our island again.

I now have the honour and privilege to declare that the Aga Khan Polyclinic here in Stone Town, Zanzibar is officially launched. May God bless Zanzibar and the United Republic of Tanzania.

Thank you for your kind invitation.