Tanzania eyes leadership role in global health diplomacy

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation has reaffirmed its strong commitment to working closely with the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) in positioning Tanzania as a regional and global leader in health diplomacy.

The pledge was made on Tuesday in Dar es Salaam during the official opening of the 5th MUHAS Convocation Symposium, officiated by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo.

In his keynote address, Ambassador Kombo commended MUHAS for its outstanding contribution to public health, medical education and research in Tanzania and beyond.

He said the Ministry would continue to support MUHAS’s efforts in advancing Tanzania’s visibility and influence in global health affairs.

“We recognise the critical role that MUHAS plays in shaping health policy and training experts who contribute beyond our borders. Our Ministry is fully committed to working closely with the university to position Tanzania as a champion in global health diplomacy,” Ambassador Kombo stated.

The Minister’s remarks come at a time when MUHAS is gaining wide recognition as one of the premier health institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa. In 2023, the Times Higher Education (THE) rankings placed MUHAS third in Sub-Saharan Africa and fifth across the entire African continent.

Ambassador Kombo emphasised that health is a global matter that requires collective international effort, especially in an era of interconnected public health threats. Citing the COVID-19 pandemic, he said no country can operate in isolation when it comes to safeguarding public health.

“Global health challenges demand global solidarity, global responsibility and collective action. A vivid example is the COVID-19 pandemic no country was left untouched. The only effective response was a global one,” he said.

He added that the government will continue to position health as a strategic pillar in Tanzania’s foreign policy and economic diplomacy framework, in recognition of its importance in international cooperation and national development.

The minister also praised MUHAS for continuing to attract international students to its academic programmes, saying this reflected the university’s growing reputation as a regional centre of excellence in health sciences.

“MUHAS has consistently produced high-level health professionals who are serving in our hospitals and delivering specialised and super-specialised medical services. This has attracted patients from neighbouring countries to seek treatment in Tanzania,” he pointed out.

In his remarks, MUHAS Vice-Chancellor, Prof Appolinary Kamuhabwa, stressed the growing importance of integrating health and diplomacy in addressing cross-border health threats and promoting sustainable health systems.

“Health diplomacy is no longer optional it’s a necessity in today’s interconnected world. We must train health professionals who can also engage effectively in international negotiations and policymaking,” Prof Kamuhabwa said.

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He added that MUHAS aims to produce a new generation of health leaders who not only possess scientific and clinical expertise but are also skilled in navigating the complexities of global health governance.

The symposium, which was organised by MUHAS’s Internationalisation and Convocation Unit, was held under the theme “Advancing Global Health through International Diplomacy.” It brought together academicians, researchers, students and policymakers to deliberate on pressing health and development challenges facing both local and global communities.