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New settlement area gets own health facilityHIMS to rescue underprivileged single mothersby Arusha Times Reporter A special medical dispensary and maternity home has been opened in the new residential area of Ekenywa ward in Ngaramtoni location of Arumeru. Officially inaugurated last Saturday, the new Upendo Dispensary and Maternity home is among various humanitarian projects being undertaken by the Arusha - based, Voluntary organization of Huduma Integrated Medical Services (HIMS). According to the project coordinator of HIMS, Joseph Tesha, the dispensary will mainly serve people who can’t afford the high costs of medical services in hospitals and dispensary, targeting mostly single mothers and orphaned children. The dispensary project was initially founded four years ago, by a German Doctor, Richard Scholz who footed both the construction charges and the cost of medical equipment for the health centre. Dr. Scholz, however, never lived to see the fruits of his philanthropic vision but his successors, namely, Gertrude Bahde together with Mr. and Mrs Joseph Breuer, saw the final completion of the Upendo dispensary project. Tesha explained that the dispensary building alone, comprising of consultancy office, waiting lounge, labour room and a resting ward with its 10 beds, has cost a total of Tsh.40 million. He said, it was difficult to determine the value of the dispensary equipment, all of which, being donations from Germany. Upendo medial dispensary is based at Ondurumeti village of Ekenywa, which is a new settlement area of Ngaramtoni. Speaking during the inauguration ceremony, held at the dispensary premises, the HIMS Director, Mrs Mackrin Rumanika said they plan to establish an office to cater for affairs of single parents who have already formed their own association. Also through HIMS, single mothers without reliable sources of income will be provided with loans to start their own small scale ventures as means to empower them. HIMS other projects for the future, include the establishment of kindergarten and primary school in any given location within Arumeru district and the formation of a local savings and credit scheme. The newly surveyed, Kishori area, within Ondurumeti village of Ekenywa ward in Mukulat location (Ngaramtoni Juu) of Arumeru, is currently attracting new residents, estate developers and new buildings keep springing up, giving the area a new look.
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