The Minister of Health, Jenista Mhagama, has instructed the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health to prioritize healthcare workers from primary healthcare centers by sending them for specialized training to enhance healthcare services at the grassroots level.
Mhagama made this announcement on April 9, 2025, during the closing session of the Annual Meeting of Chief Medical Officers at primary healthcare centers.
"President Dr. Samia has established a special fund for training health professionals, known as the Samia Scholarship. Therefore, we must ensure that doctors, anesthesiologists, laboratory specialists, and nurses receive the necessary training. We cannot afford to leave anyone behind. When we decide to send health workers for advanced studies, staff from primary healthcare centers should be given top priority, as they provide 80% of medical services. It is crucial that we bring specialized care to the grassroots level," Mhagama emphasized.
The Minister further urged the Chief Medical Officers to lead by example with high ethical standards and to effectively manage the staff under their supervision to ensure that the health sector gains respect by adhering to professional oaths, guidelines, and ethics.
Hon. Mhagama also highlighted that the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Office of the President – TAMISEMI, is working to implement the directives of the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, to distribute 600 digital devices to Chief Medical Officers in order to keep pace with the digital era.
Additionally, the Minister mentioned that the Ministry of Health is following President Dr. Samia’s instructions to allocate 1 billion Tanzanian shillings to the Office of the President – TAMISEMI, to help extend the management system to underserved areas.
"I strongly urge the Chief Medical Officers to oversee the proper use, management, and operation of primary healthcare centers, particularly regarding revenue generation," Mhagama concluded.
