The Aga Khan Hospital in Dar es Salaam has achieved a significant milestone in the treatment of obese patients, eliminating the need for them to seek treatment abroad.

Recently, the hospital successfully performed four weight-loss surgeries between July 24 and 28, signaling the beginning of more similar surgeries in the upcoming months.

In the past, the lack of such specialized services had compelled many Tanzanians and individuals from neighboring countries to incur substantial expenses by traveling abroad for treatment.

In Tanzania, Muhimbili National Hospital's Mloganzila branch introduced the intragastric balloon placement service in November 2022 as one of the methods to address overweight and obesity. This weight-loss procedure involves placing a saline-filled silicone balloon in the patient's stomach, helping them lose weight by limiting food intake and inducing a sense of fullness quicker.

The Aga Khan Hospital's progress aligns with the government's ambition to position Tanzania as a hub for medical tourism.

According to a report published in the BMC Endocrine Disorders journal, a considerable burden of diseases in Tanzania, including 14 percent of heart failure, 23 percent of ischemic heart disease, 44 percent of diabetes, 70 percent of hypertension, and up to 41 percent of cancer cases, can be attributed to excess body weight.

The report further highlights that Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) is experiencing a rapid shift from a predominantly underweight population to an overweight one. Currently, around 35 percent of SSA inhabitants are affected by excess body weight, with the World Health Organization (WHO) estimating a prevalence of up to 50 percent in urban areas.

According to the International Diabetic Federation (IDF), there were 897,000 reported cases of Diabetes

“Community studies from urban Tanzania have revealed escalating overweight and obesity rates from 24.1 to 34.5 percent and 19.2 to 23.4 percent respectively,” it reads in part.

Dr Mandela Makalala, Internal Medicine Specialist at the hospital said: “Bariatric surgery has shown to be a revolutionary game changer in the field of medicine.”

“Recent studies have shown that bariatric surgery could actually be a long-awaited cure for those people with Type 2 diabetes, and for those who are suffering from obesity, with no diabetes, it could reduce the risks of getting diabetes.”

The hospital attributed its achievements to a successful collaboration with Dr. Syed Tanseer Asgher, a renowned Bariatric surgeon from Pakistan, who possesses more than fifteen years of experience in the field. Dr. Asgher has performed over 3,000 successful bariatric procedures.

Dr. Athar Ali, the Head of Surgery at the Aga Khan Hospital, explained that weight loss surgery encompasses various procedures, including gastric bypass, which involves modifying the digestive system to facilitate weight loss in individuals.

He emphasized that the surgery is a specialized minimally invasive procedure, conducted through laparoscopic (keyhole surgery) techniques, with a primary focus on assisting individuals struggling with severe obesity to achieve significant weight loss while enhancing their overall quality of life and holistic health.

“Obesity increases the risk for various non-communicable diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, heart disease (from high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure), sleep apnea and asthma (from breathing problems), osteoarthritis, and cancer,” he said.