Health Minister Mohamed Mchengerwa has urged staff at Mount Meru Regional Referral Hospital in Arusha and other health facilities nationwide to treat patients with respect and compassion. His comments were made during celebrations for the hospital’s 100th anniversary on November 10, 2026.
Mchengerwa stated that every patient should feel hopeful and assured of receiving quality care, emphasising that healthcare begins with the interaction before any treatment is given. “From today, no patient should be shouted at. Patients must be listened to, treated with compassion, and handled with care,” he said.
He also encouraged the public to voice their concerns directly to his office through calls or messages whenever they face challenges needing intervention. Additionally, he urged health workers to dedicate their remaining years of service to listening to patients and treating them as family, while leaving personal issues outside the workplace.
Mchengerwa remarked that both Tanzanians and residents from neighbouring countries have high expectations of the healthcare system, calling on medical staff to maintain public confidence by meeting patients’ needs. He further appealed to Arusha residents to care for the hospital and respect its staff, highlighting its significance to the community and its long-standing role in healthcare delivery.
