EACOP Invests $1 Million in Health Facilities in Tanga and Geita

By Ismail Bategeka

National: The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) has committed more than US$1.06 million (about TZS2.8 billion) to improve healthcare services in Tanga and Geita regions.

The money will support the construction of two new health centres and a modern Emergency Medicine Department at Bombo Regional Referral Hospital in Tanga.

EACOP signed three Social and Economic Investment (SEI) Funding Agreements in Dar es Salaam with Bombo Regional Referral Hospital, Chongoleani Ward in Tanga City and Bukombe District Council in Geita Region.

The company says the investment is part of its long-term plan to support communities along the pipeline corridor by improving public infrastructure and access to essential services.

One of the projects will receive US$350,000 for the construction of a health centre in Bukombe District, Geita Region.

The project comes at a time when the district has a shortage of health centres.

According to information provided by EACOP, only seven of Bukombe District’s 17 wards currently have health centres. This leaves 10 wards without health centre-level services, including Bukombe Ward.

Residents in some of the affected areas have to travel long distances to seek maternal, child health and emergency services.

Poor road networks can make the situation more difficult, especially for pregnant women, children and patients requiring urgent treatment.

The new health centre is expected to provide safe delivery services, antenatal and postnatal care, child immunisation, family planning, nutrition and outpatient services.

It is also expected to reduce pressure on neighbouring health facilities and support Bukombe District Council’s plan to expand access to healthcare.

The second project will involve the construction of a new health centre in Chongoleani Ward in Tanga City.

EACOP will provide US$350,000 for the project.

Chongoleani is one of the rapidly growing areas of Tanga City, with increasing economic activities and a growing population.

The available healthcare infrastructure has not grown at the same rate as the population, according to EACOP.

The new facility is expected to serve more than 6,000 residents from Putini, Ndaoya and surrounding communities.

It will provide maternity and outpatient services and include water and sanitation facilities.

The health centre will be constructed according to Ministry of Health standards.

Once completed, the facility is expected to reduce the distance residents travel to seek healthcare and help reduce pressure on existing facilities.

The third and largest investment will support Bombo Regional Referral Hospital.

EACOP will provide US$363,000 for the construction of a modern Emergency Medicine Department at the hospital.

Bombo Regional Referral Hospital was established in 1901 and is the main referral hospital serving Tanga Region.

Although the hospital has a design capacity of 600 beds, its emergency department is facing infrastructure challenges.

The department provides emergency services 24 hours a day and treated about 24,775 emergency patients in 2024.

However, the existing emergency department has only three treatment rooms, two adult resuscitation rooms and one paediatric resuscitation room.

The emergency theatre is currently not operational because of structural challenges.

The department has 30 healthcare workers, including two Emergency Physicians.

The pressure on the facility is expected to increase as Tanga continues to experience population growth and increased economic activities.

The new Emergency Medicine Department is expected to improve emergency preparedness, trauma care and treatment for critically ill patients.

It could also reduce the need for some patients to travel long distances to access advanced emergency care.

According to EACOP, some critically ill patients currently have to be transferred about 196 kilometres to Dar es Salaam or 296 kilometres to Kilimanjaro for advanced emergency services.

The hospital also provides emergency stabilisation services for EACOP employees, contractors and people living in surrounding communities.

EACOP says the three projects are part of its Social and Economic Investment programme and are intended to create lasting benefits in communities along the pipeline corridor.

The company says the projects were identified based on priorities raised by local authorities and communities.

The investments are also expected to support Tanzania’s national health priorities and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals, especially the goal of improving health and well-being.

However, the success of the projects will depend on more than the construction of new buildings.

The facilities will need adequate health workers, medicines, medical equipment, water and other resources to provide quality services.

For communities in Bukombe and Chongoleani, the new health centres could make healthcare easier to access and reduce the distance residents travel for treatment.

At Bombo Regional Referral Hospital, the new emergency department could improve the hospital’s ability to handle the growing number of patients who need urgent care.

EACOP says the investments are intended to leave a lasting social benefit beyond the construction of the pipeline.

If properly equipped and staffed, the three facilities could improve healthcare access for tens of thousands of people in Tanga and Geita regions.

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