Stakeholders, policymakers to discuss health issues in Dar

DAR ES SALAAM: ABOUT 1000 delegates are set to meet in Dar es Salaam for a three-day summit to discuss access to Primary Healthcare services (PHC), the need for strengthening Tanzania’s health system and strategies for achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

The Tanzania Health Summit (THS) will be held in October this year, from 3rd to 5th. The summit will bring together 50 institutions which have confirmed their participation, healthcare investors, innovators, professionals, government officials and private sector leaders to discuss the latest trends and developments in healthcare sector.

This year’s theme is ‘Strengthening Health Systems for UHC, focusing on Primary Health Care’. The theme of the summit was voted for by healthcare stakeholders to reflect the country’s main and current health agenda.

The coordinating institutions of the summit include the Ministry of Health (MoH), Ministry of HealthZanzibar, BAKWATA, Christian Social Services Commission (CSSC), the Association of Health Facilities of Tanzania (APHFTA) and TMHS Tanzania.

Dr Anzibert Rugakingira, Coordinator from the Ministry of Health (MoH) said for about 10 years now the summit has been an important platform to ignite positive discussions that have helped the government to fulfil its strategic health sector plans, especially in strengthening the health system and provision of quality health services.

He said this year’s theme focuses on key issues in the national health agenda, such as universal health coverage and primary healthcare.

With 34 forums to be held and over 300 abstracts to be presented, the summit will trigger constructive discussions about healthcare in Tanzania and engage various stakeholders in shaping the national health agenda.

Speaking ahead of the summit, the President of Tanzania Health Summit, Dr Omary Chillo said the event is a reflection of what will be discussed during the summit.

Dr Chillo said the discussions should encourage communities to seek information about the progress of their health system and the implementation of their interventions aimed at attaining Universal Health Coverage and Primary Healthcare.

As part of the countdown to the summit, a media event has been organised to offer an opportunity for health experts from leading health organisations and key government officials to give opinions, analyses and success stories about the contribution they have made towards health sector development in the context of this year’s theme.

Primary healthcare (PHC), which is the main focus this year, means the first level of contact that people have with the healthcare system.

It is essential for providing comprehensive, quality and accessible healthcare to all people, regardless of their income or social status.

As it marks 10 years of action impact, THS is engaging various stakeholders in the health sector and beyond, to build the momentum for a breakthrough to support the government’s move to achieve plans for PHC, UHC and strengthening the health system.