ABSA, ABSA DAR CITY MARATHON DONATE BLOOD & MATERNAL HEALTHCARE EQUIPMENT TO MNAZI MMOJA HOSPITAL

Absa Bank Tanzania Citizenship and Events Manager, Ms. Abigail Lukuvi (second left), hands over hospital equipment to Mnazi Mmoja Hospital Nurse-in-Charge, Ms. Shufaa Kaniki (right), during a ceremony held in Dar es Salaam. On the left is The Runners Club Vice President, Mr. Godfrey Mwangungulu, accompanied by hospital staff members. The donation, aimed at supporting maternal and child health services, follows the successful Absa Dar City Marathon held on 3 May 2026 in Dar es Salaam.

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, 16 June 2026 – Absa Bank Tanzania, in partnership with The Runners Club, yesterday handed over critical maternal healthcare equipment and medical supplies to Mnazi Mmoja Hospital while also conducting a large-scale blood donation drive aimed at strengthening Tanzania’s healthcare system and saving lives.

The initiative forms part of the legacy impact of the 6th edition of the Absa Dar City Marathon 2026, which attracted more than 5,000 runners across the 21.1km, 10km and 5km race categories. Beyond promoting health and fitness, the marathon continues to serve as a platform for delivering meaningful social impact to communities.

The handover included a patient monitor machine requested by the hospital’s maternity ward to help address a shortage of this essential equipment. The machine will support healthcare professionals in continuously monitoring the vital signs of expectant and new mothers, enabling timely medical interventions and enhancing the quality of maternal care.

In addition, the partners donated a range of essential medical consumables and accessories, including gloves, urine bags, syringes, surgical masks, bandages, gauze and other critical supplies used daily in the provision of maternal healthcare services. These items will help strengthen the hospital’s capacity to provide safe and effective care for mothers and newborns.

Complementing the equipment donation, Absa Bank Tanzania and The Runners Club also conducted a blood donation drive to help boost national blood reserves and support patients requiring lifesaving transfusions. The campaign was simultaneously hosted at Mnazi Mmoja Hospital, and at Absa Bank Tanzania Headquarters, where employees actively participated in an internal blood donation initiative.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, Ms Abigail Lukuvi, Citizenship and Events Manager at Absa Bank Tanzania, said the initiative demonstrates the marathon’s broader purpose of creating lasting social impact.

“At Absa Bank Tanzania, the marathon represents far more than an athletic event; it is a platform for transforming lives and strengthening communities. Through the donation of critical maternal healthcare equipment, essential medical supplies and life-saving blood, we are helping healthcare professionals provide better care while supporting patients and families when they need it most. This reflects our belief that the story of every Tanzanian matters and our commitment to empowering healthier communities because a thriving nation is built on the wellbeing of its people.”

Receiving the donation on behalf of Mnazi Mmoja Hospital, Dr. Mingole Said expressed appreciation for the continued partnership between the hospital and the Absa Dar City Marathon.

“We are grateful to the Absa Dar City Marathon team for choosing Mnazi Mmoja Hospital as the beneficiary of this charitable initiative for the third consecutive year. The patient monitor machine and medical supplies donated today will strengthen our ability to provide quality maternal healthcare services and improve patient outcomes. We also highly commend the blood donation campaign. Lack of adequate blood remains one of the key challenges facing our hospital.”

Speaking on behalf of The Runners Club, Mr. Godfrey Mwangungulu emphasized the importance of ensuring that the impact of the marathon extends beyond race day.

“The Absa Dar City Marathon is not only about running; it is about bringing people together to make a meaningful difference. The participation of more than 5,000 runners this year demonstrates the growing power of sport to unite people around a common cause. We are proud to work alongside Absa Bank Tanzania and our partners to transform that collective energy into practical support that strengthens healthcare services and saves lives.”

Through continued investments in healthcare, blood donation and community wellbeing, Absa Bank Tanzania and The Runners Club continue to demonstrate how sport can serve as a powerful platform for sustainable social impact. As the Absa Dar City Marathon continues to grow, so too does its contribution to strengthening healthcare services and improving lives across Tanzania.