Tanzania promises to back BACKUP health programme

DAR ES SALAAM: The Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary, Dr John Jingu has reaffirmed Tanzania’s commitment to continuing collaborating with development partners to ensure access to quality healthcare services for citizens across the country.

Speaking during the closing ceremony of the BACKUP Health programme in Dar es Salaam on Thursday, the PS said the government is impressed by the initiative and promised to proceed to execute even after its conclusion.

According to Dr Jingu, the three-year programne funded by the UK’s FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) and implemented by the German Development Cooperation (GIZ), has so far made significant strides in enhancing Tanzania’s healthcare systems.

On his part, the Program Leader from GIZ German International Cooperation-BACKUP Health, Huzeifa Bodal said that their goal is to enhance healthcare efficiency, community engagement and collaboration between the government and healthcare facilities.

Moreover, Head of Development Cooperation at the German Embassy Dr Katrin Bornemann, said that her government will continue supporting Tanzania in various areas including the healthcare sector.

The event that served as a platform for discussing the successes and challenges of the BACKUP Health program in Tanzania was attended by leaders from the health ministry from both Tanzania mainland and Zanzibar.

The program has reached approximately six African countries, including Tanzania, the DRC, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, and Uganda, with a total expenditure of €20 million, of which €3 million was allocated for Tanzania alone.