Tanzanian President Urges African Nations To Boost Domestic Health Investment

Accra: Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Wednesday called on African countries to scale up domestic investment in the health sector to build resilient, sustainable, and self-reliant health systems, according to an official statement. The statement, issued by the Directorate of Presidential Communications, said the president made the call while addressing a special summit of the African Union heads of state and government on health held in Accra, Ghana. According to Nam News Network, Hassan emphasized that Tanzania has already integrated the African Union Health Strategy 2030 into its new Five-Year Development Plan. This plan focuses on prioritizing pharmaceutical manufacturing, strengthening health systems, and enhancing national self-sufficiency. During her address, President Hassan highlighted that Africa possesses the knowledge, human resources, and capacity needed to transform its health systems. She stressed the need for strong political will, domestic investment, and continental solidarity to achieve this transformation. The statement further detailed the achievements of the Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices Authority, which has attained the World Health Organization's Maturity Level 3. This achievement is expected to boost prospects for the local production of quality medicines. Additionally, President Hassan provided data on Tanzania's recent advancements in healthcare infrastructure. The country has constructed 119 district hospitals, 649 health centers, and more than 2,700 dispensaries. These developments have increased the number of health service delivery points from about 10,000 to 13,700 by March 2026. President Hassan also noted the impact of these healthcare improvements on access to skilled health care services. She reported that the share of deliveries conducted at health facilities has risen from 65 percent to 86 percent, indicating a significant advancement in healthcare accessibility for Tanzanians.