The Benjamin Mkapa Ultramodern Hospital, named after Tanzania's former president, was built through a loan guaranteed by the government through the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).

Speaking during the launch, President Kikwete said the hospital will provide modern and quality services to the people and help reduce the number of patients being referred to Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH).

"I have directed the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to avail enough doctors and nurses who will merge with the available modern infrastructure at the hospital," said Mr Kikwete.

UDOM Deputy Vice Chancellor (Planning, Finance and Administration), Prof Shaaban Mlacha, pointed out that construction of the first phase of the hospital officially began by laying of foundation stone in September 2010 by President Kikwete.

The hospital is anticipated to be equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment of diseases which will in turn assist the government to do away with unnecessary costs of having to take patients outside the country for medical treatment.

"Construction of the second phase of the hospital has already began and it includes teaching center which will accommodate about 300 in-patients," pointed out the deputy VC.

Apart from carrying out diagnostic services the center will as well be used to teach medical doctors and help the country obtain more professional medical experts.

"The hospital will facilitate delivery of health services to a large number of people from both inside and outside the country by using modern equipment without having to travel outside the country," noted Prof Mlacha.

Among the services and equipment possessed by the hospital are five laboratories, an intensive care unit, radiology unit which includes nuclear medicine, doctors rooms, surgery rooms, cardiac center, about 15 VIP rooms and two presidential suites, MRI, CT-Scan machine and cardiac tests. All the two phases of the hospital's construction are expected to cost about 140bn/- upon completion.