Government eyes digital innovation to drive UHC

DAR ES SALAAM: THE government has expressed optimism about enhancing healthcare service delivery through digital innovation and technology, with a focus on accelerating the achievement of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

Speaking this week at the 12th Tanzania Health Summit (THS), Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr Seif Shekalaghe, said the Ministry is already developing the next Digital Health Strategy (2025–2033), building on the achievements of the previous strategy to improve the lives of Tanzanians and ensure smooth implementation of UHC.

The summit, themed Harnessing Data Utilisation and Technologies to Accelerate Universal Health Coverage, was held at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNICC) and brought together stakeholders including policymakers, healthcare professionals, development partners and innovators.

“I want to reiterate my optimism that Tanzania is on the move towards a healthier future through universal health coverage when no mother dies giving birth, no child is denied care and no patient is impoverished by medical bills,” said Dr Shekalaghe.

He added that regardless of financial hardships, the government will continue to allocate resources, including creating enabling policy environment to achieve the shared objective.

Dr Shekalaghe stressed the urgent need for fully digitalised healthcare systems and services, noting that digital data and innovative technology are no longer luxuries as Tanzania embraces the principle.

He explained that the government has been investing in data systems and other advanced technologies to transform healthcare delivery and advance progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

“We now have an integrated electronic medical records system that connects patient information from community dispensaries and health centres at the district level, all the way to the national level. This marks a significant milestone,” he said.

He further said Tanzania is piloting telemedicine services in partnership with stakeholders, enabling specialists in urban centres to provide remote consultations to patients or doctors in rural clinics via video and mobile applications.

“These telehealth efforts are breaking down geographic barriers and ensuring that even remote communities can benefit from the expertise of our top medical professionals,” he noted.

Dr Shekalaghe reaffirmed Tanzania’s commitment to the global goal of achieving universal health coverage. He commended THS for their commitment to hosting such forums and called on partners and stakeholders to continue working with the government in implementing UHC.

Giving the remarks on behalf of the Zanzibar Ministry of Health Principal Secretary, Dr Salim Silim, said in relation to strengthening primary health care, the implementation of the digital ecosystem is one of their paramount agenda but also reducing higher expenditure.

“We are all aware that the digital ecosystem is the new health infrastructure, meaning that meaningful progress cannot be achieved without fully embracing it,” he said.

For his part, the Tanzania Health Summit (THS) Board Chairman, Dr Chakou Halfani, noted that they have received strong commitments and support from the government, including funding from the Ministry of Health in recent years.

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President for the Tanzania Health Summit, Dr Omary Chillo, said that discussions have driven change, establishing programmes to invest in future healthcare leaders and enhance youth capacity through initiatives focusing on practical skills for young professionals.

Dr Chillo highlighted plans to explore how data technology can enhance Universal Health Coverage (UHC) over the next three years, with the aim of formulating actionable recommendations for integrating data into Tanzania’s health strategy by the end of the summit.

“Our goal is to comply with these insights into a summit that will be shared to our stakeholders including the ministry of health,” he said.