Strengthening Community Health in Tanzania – A Week with Wekeza at Mykato Hospital

Wekeza, a community-based nonprofit, is working to strengthen healthcare delivery through long-term investments in people, tools, and infrastructure. Through our Care Innovation Grant, Wekeza has begun implementing the Hikma Health electronic health record (EHR) system at Mykato Hospital, a Lutheran-run facility serving low-income patients across the region. This collaboration marks a meaningful step toward more connected, efficient, and patient-centered care in an area where health resources are limited, but the need is great.

Health Challenges in Mwanza

Located on the southern shore of Lake Victoria, Mwanza is a region of both cultural richness and health system gaps. The tropical climate contributes to high rates of malaria and other mosquito-borne illnesses, while many residents—especially in rural areas—struggle to access consistent, quality care. Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, hypertension, and diabetes also affect the region, further straining local health services.

Mykato Hospital plays a critical role in meeting this need. The facility serves patients from Mwanza, Ilemela, Namagana, and beyond—often welcoming individuals who travel long distances or cross borders for care. Despite limited equipment and staffing, the hospital’s clinical team delivers a wide range of services with remarkable dedication and resilience.

From Paper to Digital

In November 2024, Wekeza began rolling out the Hikma Health EHR system at Mykato Hospital. The transition marked a major shift from paper-based records to a streamlined, digital workflow. Prior to the EHR, the hospital relied entirely on handwritten records—a method that frequently led to misplaced files and delays in care.

“The paperwork was not convenient for us or the patient,” said Dr. Ngwesheau G. Mbuki, lead physician at Mykato. “They needed to carry information from one room to another. That caused complications, like lost documents.”

Recognizing the need for a more efficient system, Wekeza’s Executive Director, Elisha David, pursued a solution.

“We wanted to ensure our community has access to proper health systems,” he explained. “This system helps us track accurate medications and collect quality data.”

Comprehensive Care in a Resource-Limited Setting

Mykato Hospital includes two consultation rooms, a maternity ward, a pharmacy, a basic emergency room, and even a small radiology unit. Though much of the equipment is outdated—including an aging ultrasound machine and malfunctioning oxygen supply—the clinical team works with dedication and resilience.

Dr. Mbuki’s work illustrates the breadth of services offered. Unlike physicians in many private hospitals who specialize in one field, he manages diagnoses, prescriptions, and surgical procedures under one roof.

“Our hospital offers surgical treatment in addition to outpatient care, which is not common in many facilities like ours,” Dr. Mbuki noted. “We do everything we can to provide comprehensive care despite limited resources.”

Hands-On Implementation and Staff Training

Upon receiving new tablets, the hospital team began EHR onboarding with support from Wekeza. Staff with limited prior exposure to digital systems quickly adapted to the platform, benefiting from its intuitive design and offline functionality.

“The system is accurate, simple, innovative, and user-friendly,” said Elisha David. “We don’t need users to be advanced in IT, so that inspires us to engage with it more.”

By the end of the week, the team was actively using the EHR system to document patient data and streamline service delivery.

“The Hikma Health system will reduce the time we spend with each client and allow us to see more patients,” added Dr. Mbuki. “It will also help us analyze health trends—like the percentage of patients with typhoid or malaria in a given week.”

Wekeza’s Broader Impact

The name Wekeza means “to invest” in Swahili, and that ethos defines the organization’s mission. Beyond health system strengthening, Wekeza leads educational and nutrition programs, offers early childhood support, and advocates for vulnerable populations—especially women and children. The hospital’s policy ensures that no patient is turned away due to inability to pay. In fact, 40% of patients receive free care.

“We believe in investing in the children and our community at an early stage,” said Elisha David.

“Our mission is to protect and improve the lives of those around us.”

Looking Ahead: Scaling What Works

With the Hikma Health EHR system now in use, Wekeza and Mykato Hospital are already exploring ways to build on the momentum. Plans are underway to secure more funding from the Lutheran Church to upgrade equipment, hire additional doctors, and expand services.

“We hope to fully use the facility to its potential,” Elisha shared.

The shift from paper records to digital systems has already improved care delivery. As Mykato strengthens its infrastructure and workforce, the facility is well-positioned to deliver even greater impact.

Through strategic investment in both technology and talent, the organization is redefining what high-quality, community-centered care looks like in rural Tanzania. The implementation of the Hikma Health EHR system marks a milestone in this journey—equipping Mykato Hospital to better track health trends, improve care continuity, and serve more patients with greater accuracy and speed.