Tanzanian assures American investors of its healthy investment climate in health sector
WASHINGTON: THE Tanzanian government has assured investors from the United States and other parts of the world that it is continuing to improve the investment climate in the health sector through infrastructure development, policy reforms and stronger regulatory systems aimed at attracting capital, technology and expertise.
Minister for Health Mohamed Omary Mchengerwa made the remarks at the US-Tanzania Health Cooperation Stakeholders’ Meeting in Washington, D.C., saying the government is seeking to build long-term partnerships with US companies through investment, technology transfer and the development of local capacity.
Mchengerwa said Tanzania has a long history of cooperation with the United States, citing the partnership between the government of former President Julius Nyerere and McKinsey & Company in 1970, which focused on supporting the development and strengthening of government institutional systems.
He said the Sixth-Phase Government, under President Samia Suluhu Hassan, has continued to invest in infrastructure and improve the business environment, including ensuring reliable electricity supplies, which are essential for establishing and operating pharmaceutical manufacturing plants and other health-product industries.
In the health sector, Mchengerwa said the government has continued to expand and upgrade health facilities across the country as part of efforts to increase access to healthcare services.
He said the implementation of Universal Health Insurance is expected to increase demand for medicines, medical devices and diagnostic services. He added that the official launch of the programme is scheduled to take place soon.
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Mchengerwa also said Tanzania has strengthened the regulatory framework for health products through the Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices Authority (TMDA), which has reached Level 3 maturity under the World Health Organization’s regulatory authority assessment framework.
According to Mchengerwa, the achievement places Tanzania in a stronger position to attract health-product manufacturers targeting regional and international markets, as a robust regulatory system is an important consideration for investment in pharmaceutical and other health-product manufacturing.
He further said the government is improving investment procedures and strengthening coordination among public institutions to reduce barriers that could delay the establishment and operation of pharmaceutical and health-product manufacturing facilities.
Mchengerwa stressed that Tanzania is not seeking investors solely for capital, but rather long-term partners who can help establish manufacturing plants, transfer technology, create jobs and strengthen domestic capabilities.
He said the government’s goal is to position Tanzania as an important link in the health-product manufacturing value chain while increasing the country’s capacity to produce medicines, medical devices and other essential health products for domestic, regional and international markets.
