Mount Meru Hospital receives new machine for early breast cancer detection

Arusha. Mount Meru Regional Referral Hospital has received a state-of-the-art mammography machine aimed at enhancing the early detection and diagnosis of breast diseases, particularly breast cancer.

The Mammography Breast Cancer Screening System provided by the government, was officially handed over to the hospital's Radiology Department on Friday, March 7, 2025.

This new equipment is expected to significantly improve early breast disease detection services for women in Arusha and surrounding areas, with the potential to reduce breast cancer-related fatalities.

During the handover ceremony, the radiological imaging specialist at Mount Meru Hospital, Dr Edward Joseph, expressed gratitude to the government for equipping the facility with this vital tool.

He highlighted that the new machine would save thousands of women from travelling more than 120 kilometres to Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) in Moshi for similar services.

“This mammography machine will enable us to detect abnormalities in breast tissue much earlier, before physical symptoms appear or can be identified during a standard clinical examination,” Dr Joseph explained.

“Early detection is critical for successful treatment and recovery, and this machine will play a crucial role in saving lives by ensuring timely diagnoses,” he added.

Recent statistics show that 42,000 women in Tanzania are diagnosed with breast cancer annually, but only 38 percent of them receive treatment and recover.

Dr Joseph urged women, particularly those over 40, to take advantage of the new facility and undergo regular breast screenings to reduce the risk of late-stage diagnoses.

“In commemoration of International Women’s Week, we are delighted to receive this machine, which was previously unavailable in Arusha. I encourage all women to prioritize their health and undergo routine screenings to help reduce breast cancer-related deaths,” he said.

In addition to the new mammography machine, the hospital’s chief medical officer, Dr Alex Ernest, announced that Mount Meru Hospital is working on establishing a cancer treatment clinic.

This clinic aims to provide local access to cancer treatments, reducing the need for patients to travel to Dar es Salaam for specialised care.

“By improving our cancer diagnosis services and opening this clinic, we hope to ensure that patients in Arusha can access necessary treatments right here at Mount Meru Hospital,” said Dr Ernest.

“This is a significant step forward in strengthening cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment services in the region, ultimately improving healthcare outcomes for women,” he added.