Tanzania’s president sacks hospital chief over patients sleeping on floor

Newly installed Tanzanian president, John Magufuli, sacked the head of the country’s main hospital after finding patients sleeping on the floor during a surprise visit, it has been reported.

The president was said to have been dismayed and saddened by the state of medical service delivery, particularly for patients sleeping on the floor, TanzaniaToday.com reported.

President Magufuli also reportedly broke up the governing board at Muhimbili National Hospital after discovering the main scanning and diagnostic machines were not working and seeing other poor conditions on Monday, the reported said.

“The president is trying to send a message that times have changed … It’s not business as usual … It’s all about delivery – the government has to deliver for the people,” the chief secretary at the president’s office, Ombeni Sefue, was quoted as saying.