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Power outage at Tanzania’s national hospital causes distress for kidney patients
What you need to know:
- Patients undergoing dialysis treatment told The Citizen on Monday, May 26, that the blackout began at around 9pm on Sunday. While a backup generator was activated, it reportedly malfunctioned shortly afterwards, leaving the building without power overnight.
Dar es Salaam. A 15-hour power outage at the Children’s Building of Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) has disrupted dialysis services and left patients and their families in distress.
Patients undergoing dialysis treatment told The Citizen on Monday, May 26, that the blackout began at around 9pm on Sunday. While a backup generator was activated, it reportedly malfunctioned shortly afterwards, leaving the building without power overnight.
Dialysis is a life-saving treatment for patients with kidney failure, as it uses machines to filter waste and excess fluids from the blood in place of the kidneys.
Head of Communications and Public Relations at MNH, Mr Aminiel Aligaesha, confirmed the power failure and said both internal and external teams were working to resolve the issue.
“There was a fault at around 11pm on Sunday when two of the three power phases cut off, causing a short circuit in the transformer and affecting the emergency generator,” Mr Aligaesha said.
He explained that the remaining phase later failed as well. “Tanesco responded promptly and began working with our technicians. They restored power briefly, but it went off again, and the generator also developed a fault.”
“Since around midnight, Tanesco and the generator’s supplier have been on-site, working together to fix the problem,” he added.
According to Mr Aligaesha, critically ill patients, including children in intensive care, have since been relocated to other functioning wards.
“We have transferred paediatric ICU patients to other ICU facilities. Some children are now receiving care at the emergency paediatrics unit, while others have been moved to the maternity block,” he said.
On dialysis services, Mr Aligaesha said the hospital had reached out to nearby health facilities for support. “We have a large number of dialysis patients daily. We’re working with nearby hospitals to ensure they continue to receive treatment. All efforts are underway to restore stable electricity.”
Some patients who spoke to The Citizen described the situation as dire. They reported worsening symptoms including swollen limbs, abdominal bloating and vomiting.
“The entire building lost power at 9pm. The generator was switched on but later shut down. They said it was faulty. Technicians were called, but Tanesco has yet to arrive. We’re not receiving treatment, and ICU patients have been relocated,” said one patient.
Another said patients were told to return home if their condition was stable. “Those of us with kidney failure are just sitting outside. We rely on dialysis to survive. Some are already unwell—stomachs are swollen, legs are puffy, and people are vomiting.”
A patient who had arrived the previous day said she was still waiting for treatment. “My session was scheduled for 10pm, but I haven’t been seen. As time passes, we’re getting weaker.”
A mother from Tegeta said her child, admitted at the hospital, spent the night in darkness. “Children using oxygen or those in ICU were moved to other wards. It’s extremely hot inside. If power isn’t restored soon, we’ll sleep in the dark again.”
