Tanzania pledges to work closely with UNICEF in providing quality healthcare and nutrition

DODOMA: CHIEF Medical Officer Prof Bruno Sunguya has stressed the need to strengthen cooperation between the Ministry of Health and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to improve primary healthcare, nutrition and the quality of health services provided to the public.

Prof Sunguya made the remarks in Dodoma during a meeting with UNICEF representatives to discuss areas of cooperation, challenges in implementing health interventions and ways of using technical expertise and scientific evidence to improve healthcare delivery in the country.

He said Ministry of Health experts and UNICEF should maintain close communication and work together through regular meetings to address technical challenges and ensure that agreed activities are implemented effectively.

Prof Sunguya also urged directors in the Ministry of Health to work directly with UNICEF experts in their respective areas of specialisation instead of referring every matter to senior leadership, saying the approach would accelerate the implementation of joint activities.

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During the meeting, participants also discussed findings from studies on the cost of delivering primary healthcare services, ways to improve the efficiency of government resource utilisation and opportunities to mobilise additional resources to strengthen the services.

Outlining health sector priorities, Prof Sunguya highlighted improving the quality of healthcare, addressing non-communicable diseases, strengthening services for stroke patients and reducing the impact of road traffic accidents.

On nutrition, he described the area as a key priority, particularly in addressing anaemia among adolescents. He emphasised the importance of involving the education sector in strengthening school-based nutrition interventions.

The discussions also covered the need to evaluate various interventions aimed at addressing micronutrient deficiencies, including iron supplementation, appropriate dietary practices and food fortification. He said such interventions should be guided by scientific evidence and the specific needs of target population groups.