DAR ES SALAAM, Aug 14 (NNN-DAILYNEWS) — ZANZIBAR’S President, Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi has urged financial institutions to borrow a leaf from CRDB Bank on its initiative to raise funds to support health services on both sides of the Tanzanian union.
Dr Mwinyi made the remarks during the lender’s charity marathon held in Dar es Salaam at the weekend that attracted over 7,000 runners and managed to raise 1bn/-.
“This year these funds will build a health centre in Zanzibar and this is a big contribution that touches many Tanzanians,” he said.
He added, “I am asking other stakeholders to see how they can cooperate with the government to improve health services,”
The funds raised from the participants of this charity marathon are directed to treat children with heart problems as well as to high-risk pregnant women.
Speaking on the impact of the bank’s marathons to the society, the CRDB’s Managing Director, Mr Abdulmajid Nsekela said in the past three years, the lender managed to gather more than 1bn/- through the admission fees and they have been dedicated to required destinations.
“In this year alone, we have managed to raise 1bn/- and it will be distributed to health facilities to support children with heart diseases and women with risky pregnancies,” he said.
He said the total amount of 1bn/- raised in the past three years was taken to the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI) to cover various costs including treatment bills of 100 children.
He added that in this year’s marathon, the lender has put forward four priorities including stationing a health institution for women and children in Zanzibar, to support children with heart problems and donating for women with risky pregnancies treatments.
Earlier, the CRDB’s Chairman, Board of Directors Foundation, Mr Martin Warioba said the outcome for both marathon programmes had exceeded their goals such that in just two years, it was already known internationally. — NNN-DAILYNEWS
