District Hospital Training Programme in Mbeya, Tanzania

In Mbeya, Tanzania, Kids Operating Room has delivered the third successful iteration of our District Hospital Training Programme - a ground-breaking initiative focused on strengthening children’s surgical care in remote and underserved areas.

“This programme is already helping keep patients alive and decreasing disability of children.” - Professor Kokila Lakhoo, Consultant Paediatric Surgeon & Professor of Global Paediatric Surgery

This recent training brought together healthcare providers from across South, Eastern, and Central Africa, all of whom work in district hospitals - facilities that are often the first point of contact when a child falls seriously ill, and which are typically located hours from major referral centres.

Why district hospitals?

“If you look at the statistics in Tanzania, more than 80% of operations on children happen in district hospitals — not in tertiary centres,” explains Professor Lakhoo.

Recognising this reality, the programme equips district-level staff with essential paediatric skills: stabilising sick children, delivering urgent basic care, and making effective, timely referrals to higher-level hospitals.

“It takes a team to look after a child.”

With better-trained frontline teams, fewer children fall through the cracks. More are treated early. And those who do need to be transferred arrive in better condition — improving surgical outcomes and saving lives.

“Sometimes answers lie in simple things. You do one simple thing and you save hundreds of lives. The power of district hospitals is that when they're equipped and empowered, it saves lives. It makes things easy.”

Proven impact

This model has already shown measurable success: fewer unnecessary referrals, faster decision-making, and better patient outcomes. It's also boosting morale and confidence among district healthcare workers.

“I can see how the staff in district places are more confident.”

By focusing on these key access points, the District Hospital Training Programme is helping to build sustainable, resilient surgical systems — ones that work for children, wherever they live.

“This programme has kept patients alive and decreased the disability of children. It’s provided immediate treatment in cases that need to be done right away.”

Recent Posts