A. Background Information

Health Services at Dar es Salaam University College of Education (DUCE) are offered at DUCE dispensary. Along with academic services, the College also provides medical services through its Dispensary which was established in 2005 to provide quality health care services within easy reach of its catchment population. It serves students, staff and the surrounding community. The main focus is preventing, diagnosing and treatment of communicable and non-communicable diseases.

B. Medical Officer In-Charge and Physical Location

Dr. Saning'o Sangeti is currently a medical officer in charge. The contact phone number of the medical in charge is +255 755 255 212. Administratively, the medical in charge and the DUCE dispensary in general falls under the Deputy Principal - Planning, Finance and Administration - Office as per the organisational structure of the College. DUCE dispensary is located just adjacent to the DUCE main entrance gate, along Taifa Road. We are close to NBC Bank and Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium.

C. DUCE Dispensary Staffing and Administration Profile

DUCE dispensary has a well-established staffing from different cadres customized to meet client’s need. With our different levels of educational background and experience, we are capable of providing preventive education, diagnostic and treatment care to clients with different medical conditions. The listed here-under are the officers who form the management profile of the DUCE dispensary. Their names and positions are listed.

            Full name                                              Position                               

  1. Dr. Gerrion Mtega                              Care and Treatment  
  2. Sr. Upendo Kitaponda                        Nurse Officer In-Charge                  
  3. Mr. Samwel Suleiman                        Head - Laboratory 
  4. Mr. Lugano Mwankemwa                  Head - Pharmacy                      
  5. Mr. Kenedy Kituye                             Environmental Health Officer        

D. Our Services

  1. Outpatient Care
  2. Patient Observation Services
  3. Care and Treatment Services
  4. Medical Examination services
  5. Community Outreach Services
  6. Diagnostic Laboratory
  7. Pharmacy
  8. 24hrs Ambulance Services   
  9. VCT for HIV and AIDS
  10. Reproductive and Child Health Services

 E. Opening and Closing Hours

We are open 24 Hrs, 7 Days a week (Monday - Sunday)

 F. Payment Scheme

The payment scheme is by cash or through health insurance.  Currently, we only serve members under the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF). In the future, we plan to link with other health insurance schemes. Kindly, be informed that you can only receive healthcare services if you pay cash or produce a valid health insurance card. 

 G. General Information to Students

i.  A Guide to Staying Healthy at DUCE

Students are advised to check their health status regularly. If a student develops any symptom or in a state of ill-health, kindly visit the DUCE Dispensary immediately for early diagnosis and treatment. Late seeking of healthcare attention may negatively affect the recovery or outcome of your health problem. Students are also advised to observe high standards of hygienic practices everywhere and every time be it at lecture theatres, in gatherings, cafeteria, ‘vimbweta’ and at your room. Dustbins have been put almost in all key places at the campus. Avoid littering the environment.

 ii. Alcohol, Drug Abuse, HIV, AIDS, Unplanned Pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Infections

Students are advised to strictly avoid use of alcohol as this affects their academic performance.  Drinking impairs significantly your cognitive function. Decision making under the influence of alcohol may lead to serious unpleasant consequences.

Students are also advised to protect themselves and colleagues from HIV and AIDS. The best approach is to abstain from pre-marital sex. If students cannot abstain from sex, then be faithful to your single uninfected partner and always use a condom consistently and persistently during sexual intercourse. 

We provide free voluntary testing counselling (VCT) for HIV.  If students need advice on treatment and care (CTC) for HIV and AIDS, they should feel free to consult us. Ethics, confidentiality and privacy shall be highly observed.

Consequences of unplanned pregnancy are enormous and may affect your academic performance and your future in general. Students are advised to visit their Reproductive and Child Health Unit for health education pertaining to reproductive health.

iii. Transport and Road Safety

Road traffic accidents (RTA) are currently among the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in our country. Students are advised to take all the necessary precautions when using motor vehicles.  Of special note is the use of helmet every time one rides on a motorcycle.

 iv. Falling Sick Outside the College

In case students fall sick outside the College campus immediately they should notify the office of the Medical Officer In-Charge by any means possible such as through their fellow students and/or family members. Students are free to receive health care services at any health facility of their choice, but you are obliged to inform the responsible College officers immediately.

 v. Referral Procedures

All medical needs shall be attended at DUCE dispensary except for problems which require expertise attention in terms of specialized personnel and equipment. If students succumb to problems requiring the attention of a specialised healthcare personnel and/or hospital they shall be referred promptly for the same. Our default referral hospital is Temeke Regional Referral Hospital.  However, the nature of your medical problem may dictate on our side the choice of a referral Hospital. Any self-referral will be at the patient’s own cost.

vi. Postponement of Academic Activities on Medical Ground

In case students fall sick or admitted outside DUCE and they are unable to attend classes should report the matter immediately to the Medical Officer In charge.  Students can use their fellow students, friends or family members to report on their health status on their behalf. A duly medical report must be availed to support the claim.

Postponement of academic activities such as seminars, lectures, course work, tests and examinations must be fully supported by an authentic medical reason and evidence for the same must be produced. All this information must be channeled through the office of the Medical Officer In-Charge.

H. General Information on HIV, AIDS and Non-Communicable Diseases

Communicable diseases like HIV and non-communicable diseases like High Blood Pressure, Diabetes, Depression, Cancer, and other heart diseases affect many people in the community, especially those in middle age. These people are crucial to the nation as many of them are of their productive age and are heavily relied upon in families.

What is HIV?

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks the body's immune system, ultimately causing the body to fail in fighting various diseases. When the immune system weakens significantly, the body becomes vulnerable, leading to the emergence of opportunistic diseases.

 How is HIV Contracted/Transmitted?

HIV is found in bodily fluids of infected individuals. These fluids include blood, breast milk, semen, and vaginal fluids. Therefore, HIV can spread from one person to another through the following ways: 

  1. Unprotected sexual intercourse
  2. Sharing needles or sharp objects
  3. Through unsafe blood transfusions
  4. From mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding

Symptoms of HIV and AIDS

Symptoms of HIV infection do not appear early when a person gets new infections. The initial symptoms are not different from those of other diseases like flue, however it may  include fever, skin rash and swollen lymph nodes. When the immune system weakens, symptoms of opportunistic diseases may appear. These symptoms may include unexplained weight loss, skin cancer, diarrhea for more than two weeks, and long-term cough.

 How do you know if you have HIV infection?

The presence of HIV infection is confirmed through specialized blood tests.

How can you protect yourself from HIV?

You can protect yourself from HIV through the following ways:

  1. Avoiding unprotected sex
  2. Using condoms correctly and consistently
  3. Having a single partner who is not infected
  4. Avoiding sharing needles or sharp objects
  5. Undergoing circumcision for men

 What should you do if you have HIV?

If you are living with HIV, take the following steps:

  1. Attend clinics and follow the instructions given by professionals
  2. Eat a balanced diet
  3. Exercise regularly
  4. Take medication as prescribed
  5. Avoid stigmatizing yourself
  6. Use protection (condoms) during intercourse
  7. Avoid alcohol consumption

What are Non- Communicable Diseases?

Non-Communicable Diseases are those diseases that cannot spread through infections or through other people (Diabetes, High blood pressure, Cancer, Asthma)

Symptoms of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)

Most non-communicable diseases do not show any symptom at the beginning of the illness. However, as the disease progresses and affects the body's organs, symptoms will appear. Also, the symptoms of these diseases largely depend on the type of disease and the affected body system. However, general symptoms include:

  1. Unintentional weight loss
  2. Weakness and fatigue quickly
  3. Having sadness most of the time and lacking hope for life
  4. Insomnia
  5. Breathing difficulties
  6. Swelling of the body

 Risk factors for NCDs

  1. Sedentary behavior
  2. Excessive weight
  3. Use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs
  4. Poor Diet (High salt, high fat content, low fruits and vegetables intake)
  5. Presence of these diseases in the family

 How do you know if you have Non-Communicable Diseases?

You will know that you have these diseases after being examined and tested by health professionals. These examinations and tests can be done at various centers in the country.

 Steps to protect yourself from NCDs:

  1. Exercise for at least 30 minutes daily
  2. Eat a balanced diet
  3. Avoid risky behaviors such as alcohol use, tobacco, and unsafe sex
  4. Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables
  5. Avoid excessive use of oil and salt in food

Steps to take for those with NCDs:

  1. Continue to use a balanced diet as advised by doctors
  2. Follow medical treatment and use medication properly
  3. Exercise according to the advice of professionals
  4. Avoid misconceptions about these diseases.

 Other Services available at the College Dispensary:

  1. Testing for various diseases such as Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, HIV and AIDS.
  2. Initial breast cancer examination
  3. Counseling
  4. Medicine and treatment services for people living with HIV and AIDS.
  5. Treatment for Tuberculosis 

If you feel to have any of these Diseases, what should you do?

If you feel you have any of these symptoms, visit the College Health Center or any other center for advice and examination.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT THE COLLEGE HEALTH CENTER, COUNSELLORS AND PEER EDUCATORS IN YOUR DEPARTIMENT