Posted on :Friday , 13th October 2017
His Highness, The Aga Khan, Founder and Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) has promised Tanzanian President John Magufuli that his network will work to further expand the Dar es Salaam, Aga Khan Hospital and also build a new University in Arusha.
His Highness disclosed further details by informing that the number of beds in the Aga Khan Hospital will be increased to 172 from 72.
“We will also improve the oncology and cardiovascular departments at the hospital to be able to offer better and more treatments. This will go hand in hand with bolstering medical training,” HH the Aga Khan told President Magufuli.
He also mentioned that the new university will work to train African leaders to improve their abilities to serve their nations and the African continent better.
President Magufuli also expressed his gratitude and lavished praise on His Highness for all the good work his organization has done in Tanzania. President Magufuli also provided his full backing to the AKDN in their endeavors in Tanzania.
A statement released by the State House also mentioned President Magufuli’s request to HH the Aga Khan, urging him to consider investing in Dodoma, Tanzania’s new capital.
According to the statement, Magufuli also requested AKDN institutions offering health and education services to find a means to reduce service fees to make these services more affordable and accessible to low-income citizens.
His Highness the Aga Khan also discussed the role of the African media in pushing the developmental agenda of the nation with President Magufuli.
“It has been a tradition, which has come from outside Africa, to use or develop political news as prime material for communication. That is really wrong. Media has a much wider role particularly in the developing world,” His Highness stated.
“We need professionalism in the field of media. We need people who can comment on medicine, economics, religion, politics, constitutionalism; all these issues,” he added.
His Highness the Aga Khan is expected to lead a religious ceremony at the Diamond Jubilee Hall that will be closed to the media.