St Theresa Health Centre, Wanda, Tanzania (2024)
With the help of local donors, the Sisters who founded the St Theresa Health Centre — a private medical institution in Wanda, eastern Tanzania — were able to construct an additional building housing two operating theatres, a sterilisation room, a materials store, a changing room with adjoining lavatory and shower, and a rest area for medical staff. After extensive discussions with Sister Dr Sabina Mangi, an experienced cardiologist and head physician, the Italian NGO Rainbow for Africa, on behalf of Rosmarie Burki-Weibel (donor), agreed to equip one of the two operating theatres, the sterilisation room, and the recovery room with the necessary fittings and apparatus, and to provide and regularly renew all required surgical materials.
The official inauguration of the new facilities took place on 28 April 2024, presided over by Bishop Tarcisius of Iringa. Situated at an altitude of 1,600 metres, this newly established wing of the Health Centre has particular significance for the Iringa District, as it enables emergency care for pregnant women.
By June 2025, surgical teams had successfully performed laparotomies and emergency hernia repairs on seventy-three expectant mothers, providing professional postnatal care for their newborns. In total, 166 successful surgical procedures had been carried out by that date. Furthermore, complex abdominal operations were undertaken by experienced surgeons from Italy who regularly collaborate with Rainbow for Africa. In 2024, specialist physicians from the NGO also launched a training programme in anaesthesia and surgery.
The medical staff consists entirely of Tanzanian professionals trained locally, who continue to receive ongoing education and instruction from Rainbow for Africa doctors, ensuring familiarity with the latest equipment and surgical techniques.