GEITA GOLD MINING LTD. SIGNS MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING TO EXTEND MEDICAL BOAT SERVICES ON LAKE VICTORIA FOR ANOTHER 5 YEARS

Chairman of Muleba District Council, Magongo Justus John (1st left), Archbishop of African Inland Church of Tanzania, Pastor Mussa Magwesela (2nd left) and the Geita Gold Mining Ltd. Managing Director, Richard Jordinson (1st right) signing a 5-year Memorandum of Understanding to support medical boat services across Lake Victoria Islands in Kagera and Geita regions.

Geita Gold Mining Limited (GGML) has signed a letter of intent to extend support for the first medical boat on Lake Victoria for the next five years.

Under the MOU, GGML has increased its contribution from USD 87,000 to USD 120,000 compared to the previous agreement.

Speaking at the signing ceremony The Vice President (Sustainability) of GGML, Simon Shayo says over the next five years, GGML will provide a total of 1.5 billion Tanzania Shillings for the maintenance of the converted 160-tonne British Royal Navy vessel.

He said the medical boat will provide a range of primary health care services including maternal health care, voluntary HIV testing and care and treatment for AIDS, immunization, dentistry and general basic health education and care with a focus on maternal and child health. Basic laboratory services and a general pharmacy are also provided, with all services free of charge.

“The Jubilee Medical Boat project is an initiative of the Jubilee Hope Medical and Dental Program, which was launched in February 2015. The project is part of the partnership between the African Inland Church of Tanzania, the Vine Trust of Scotland and Geita Gold Mining Limited.

“The boat operates in the islands of Lake Victoria, which originally had no access to medical services. In 2017, more than 55,600 people were treated on the boat, marking an important milestone in the history of the humanitarian project and bringing the total number of patients treated since its inception to over 158,000,” he said.

He added that medical boat shuttles between the islands of Lake Victoria for fourteen days and then docks again in Mwanza to refuel, replenish medical supplies and carry out general maintenance before resuming its route.

He explained that the project aims to improve primary health care for more than 450,000 residents on the islands in Lake Victoria.

"We are proud that the medical boat has reached over 46,000 people in its first year, most of whom are women and children, as well as fishing communities on remote islands where access to healthcare is a major challenge. Our support for this boat consists of daily supplies of fuel, lubricants and maintenance costs. We are pleased to have been able to play a key role in such a noble initiative," he said.

He added that as a corporate citizen, GGML supports government and United Nations initiatives to ensure that all people can live in peace and prosperity by 2030, which is only possible if the majority of people are healthy.

The Archbishop of the African Inland Church in Tanzania, Mussa Magwesela, said the extension of the MoU for another five years is an important milestone for GGML and other partners such as AICT who are working with the government to improve health services in Tanzania.

Asha Ruhenga, a resident of Chakazimbwe Island, praised GGML's support for the project and said the services were timely.

"Such health services are rare in our community. Whenever it is announced that the boat will come on a particular day, the whole community comes and everyone enjoys the services," she said.