Tanzania’s health sector has improved significantly during the last three years, a period of exceptional advancement under President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s direction.
Remarkable data and revolutionary policies that have improved healthcare infrastructure, quality, and access nationwide serve as proof of the improvements.
The Ministry of Health claims that increased financing for health projects, better maternity and child healthcare services, and expanded immunization programs are directly responsible for this accomplishment.
These topics have been given priority by President Samia’s government because they are vital to the general well-being and advancement of the country.
President Samia’s 10 accomplishments have greatly enhanced the nation’s health system, according to Health Minister Ummy Mwalimu, who presented the Ministry of Health’s revenue and expenditure estimates for the 2024–2025 fiscal year.
The growth and enhancement of health infrastructure, where the number of establishments providing health services has climbed from 8,549 in 2021 to 9,693 this year—a rise of 1,144 facilities—was one of Minister Ummy’s highlighted accomplishments.
The minister reported that when it comes to the state of modern medical equipment, there has been a surge in diagnostic and disease detection tools, such as CT scanners, which have increased from 12 to 45, MRI machines from 7 to 13, ultrasound machines from 476 to 668, echocardiograms from 95 to 102, cath labs from 1 to 4, and the introduction of a PET Scan, which was not available in the nation before.
According to the minister, there has been an increase in bed capacity, with general hospital beds rising from 86,131 in 2021 to 145,374, ICU beds in public facilities rising from 258 in 2021 to 1,362, and improved medicine availability with 290 types of medicines and health products available in public health facilities by March of this year, up from 58 percent to 79 percent.
The minister reported that the number of hospitals offering emergency medical services (EMD) has increased from seven in 2020 to 116 by March of this year. In addition, minister Ummy reported that the country’s availability of reasonably priced advanced and specialized medical services has increased, drawing in foreign patients for medical tourism, with the number of foreign patients rising from 5,705 in 2022 to 7,843 this year.
Improved emergency obstetric treatment: the minister made it clear that there are now 523 medical facilities this year instead of the 388 that were available in 2021 for emergency obstetric care, including cesarean sections.
Other steps, according to Minister Ummy, include expanding access to pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, which has enhanced the availability of these resources at all stages of the healthcare delivery system and improved mental health services.
Other services include palliative care and rehabilitation, maternity and child health services (where the government improves reproductive health services to lower maternal mortality), and services for specialized and advanced medical care.
The 20% rise in Tanzania’s total number of health facilities is another noteworthy achievement.
More than 150 new hospitals and clinics will be opened as a result of this growth, many of them in underserved and rural areas.
Additionally, the budget for the health sector has increased significantly, going from 1.2 billion USD in 2021 to 1.8 billion USD in 2024.
The government has been able to promote health education and training initiatives, invest in state-of-the-art medical equipment, and raise the pay of healthcare workers because to this rise in financial resources.
Under President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s direction, Tanzania is building on these achievements, and the health sector is a monument to the transformative potential of wise investment and capable leadership.