Tanzania calls for stronger domestic financing to improve access to quality healthcare services

ADDIS ABABA: TANZANIA has called for increased investment in the health sector and stronger domestic financing to improve access to quality healthcare services for citizens.

The call was made during a side event held on the sidelines of the 76th World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The presentation, delivered on behalf of the Minister of Health Mohamed Mchengerwa, highlighted Tanzania’s commitment to strengthening domestic health financing, improving the efficiency of resource utilisation and reducing out-of-pocket costs for healthcare services.

Speaking during discussions on the Health Financing Strategy for the Future of Health in the African Region 2026–2035, Tanzania stressed the need for sustainable investment to strengthen health systems and ensure citizens have access to quality and affordable healthcare.

Tanzania also emphasised the importance of investing in child growth, care and development from pregnancy through the first eight years of life.

The country said such investment should focus on health, nutrition, early childhood education, responsive caregiving, as well as child protection and safety.

On regulation of health products, Tanzania said it had attained Level Three maturity of its regulatory system and was continuing efforts to reach Level Four.

Member States were also urged to allocate adequate resources and strengthen cooperation to ensure health products meet required standards of safety, quality and effectiveness.

On malaria control, Tanzania outlined measures being taken to address emerging challenges, including increasing mosquito resistance to insecticides, changing patterns of transmission and funding constraints affecting malaria services.

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The discussions further underscored the need to accelerate access to innovative health products and technologies, safe and quality medicines, while strengthening local production and regulatory systems to ensure health products meet required standards.

Tanzania said the measures would contribute to improving healthcare services, reducing maternal and child deaths, increasing financial resources for implementation of universal health insurance and boosting the production of quality health products.