Local News
Dr Salim touts support for underprivileged
DAILY NEWS Reporter, 15th March 2010
TANZANIANS have been urged to provide support to the underprivileged members of the society, the children in particular.
The former Prime Minister and Chairman of Mwalimu Nyerere Foundation, Dr Salim Ahmed Salim, said this at the dinner organized in honour of Dr Rajin Kanabar over the weekend in Dar es Salaam.
Dr Kanabar, the leader of Tanzania – India Friendship Association was conferred upon a prestigious award in January, this year, by the President of India, Ms Pratibha Patil.
The award “Bhartiya Parvasi Samman Award,” was given in recognition of his dedication in pioneering many health projects in Tanzania, including the children with heart challenges.
“This function is not only intended to demonstrate our joy and appreciation, but also to encourage him and others like him to continue pursue the noble goal of providing service to our people and especially those who are underprivileged,” Dr Salim said.
The award is given to eminent members of the Indian Diaspora which amount to 20 million globally. The Indian High Commissioner to Tanzania, Kocheril Bhagirath commended President Jakaya Kikwete for what he described as ‘modern partnership between the two countries,’ that enjoys traditional and historical ties.
The High Commissioner also thanked the Government of Tanzania for the approval of the proposal for the opening of an Indian Cultural Centre in Dar es Salaam to become operational in the near future.
Dr Kanabar pioneered many health projects through which more than 2,000 babies have been availed subsidized heart surgeries at various hospitals in India.
“This has given a new lease of life to the disadvantaged children who could have died prematurely, due to lack of funds and the unavailability of a Paediatric Centre of Excellence in the country,” Dr Salim added.
Since 1979, Dr Kanabar has facilitated hundreds of children suffering from repairable congenital and rheumatic defects to open heart surgery at a highly subsidized rate, by building partnership with various Indian hospitals as a Convener and Fund Raiser of the Heart babies’ project.
Dr Kanabar who is the Medical Practitioner, Chairman of the Regency Medical Centre and Former Chairman of the Mwanza Round Table and Lions Club of Dar es Salaam, said that the award belonged to all those who together with him helped the underprivileged children.
“I have accepted this award with utmost humility on behalf of all these hearts crippled children in whose helpless parent’s eyes, I saw tears but ray of hope in the eyes of children to become fine citizens of this world,” he said.
The event was attended by the First Lady Mama Salma Kikwete, former President Mr Benjamin Mkapa and Mrs Anna Mkapa, ministers, legislators and members of the diplomatic corps.