A view of one of the three patient transport boats, known as "Ambulance Boats," inaugurated by the President of Zanzibar and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council, Hon. Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi, at Verde Hotel, Mtoni, in the Urban District of Unguja, Zanzibar, on February 19, 2025.(Photo: State House)
The Chairman of the Revolutionary Council, Hon. Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi, delivers a speech at the inauguration ceremony of three patient transport boats, known as "Ambulance Boats." The event took place at Verde Hotel, Mtoni, in Zanzibar City on February 19, 2025. (Photo: State House)
The President of Zanzibar and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council, Hon. Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi, cuts the ribbon to inaugurate three patient transport boats, known as "Ambulance Boats," in a ceremony held today, February 19, 2025, at Verde Hotel, Mtoni, in the Urban District of Unguja, Zanzibar.
To the President’s right is the Minister of Health of Zanzibar, Hon. Nassor Ahmed Mazrui, along with the Acting Director of the World Bank, Milena Stefanova, and the Secretary of the Revolutionary Council and Chief Secretary, Engineer Zena Ahmed Said.To the President’s left is the World Bank’s Regional Manager for Eastern and Southern Africa, Dr. Ernest Massiah.(Photo: State House)
SPC BLOG-ZANZIBAR
On February 19, 2025, the President of Zanzibar and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council, Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi, inaugurated three ambulance boats in a ceremony held at Verde Hotel, Mtoni, in the Urban District of Unguja, Zanzibar. These boats were manufactured by QIRO GROUP LIMITED at an estimated cost of approximately 2 billion Tanzanian shillings, as part of the government’s initiative to improve healthcare services for residents of small islands.
In his speech, President Dr. Mwinyi stated that the primary goal of introducing these boats is to ensure that patients, particularly mothers and children, receive timely medical care to reduce preventable deaths. He added that the government has decided to deploy the boats to the areas facing the greatest challenges, while other locations will be prioritized in future phases.
This initiative has been made possible with financial support from the World Bank, which funded the purchase of a total of five ambulance boats; three have already been completed, while two more are expected to be ready soon. The Minister of Health, Nassor Ahmed Mazrui, assured residents of the small islands that these services would be operational soon and urged them to utilize them effectively, especially for maternal and child healthcare.
These ambulance boats are part of the government’s strategy to strengthen emergency medical services and the patient referral system from the islands to district, regional, and national hospitals. This initiative demonstrates the commitment of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar to improving healthcare services and ensuring the well-being of its citizens, particularly those living in areas with limited access to medical facilities.
