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 the 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, medical in charge and the DUCE dispensary in general falls under the Deputy Principal - Planning, Finance and Administration - Office as per the organizational 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
D. Our 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 the 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 accident (RTA) is 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 attention of a specialized 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 their health status on behalf. A dully 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 ones 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 in 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:
Symptoms of HIV and AIDS
Symptoms of HIV infection do not appear early when a person get 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:
What should you do if you have HIV?
If you are living with HIV, take the following steps:
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 of 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:
Risk factors for NCDs
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:
Steps to take for those with NCDs:
Other Services available at the College Dispensary:
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