The Government of Tanzania, in collaboration with its development partners, has secured TSh161.3 billion to strengthen the delivery of primary healthcare services across the country during the 2025/26 financial year.
The funding equivalent to USD 55.9 million will be channelled through the Health Basket Fund (HBF), a pooled financing mechanism supported by nine development partners: Canada, Denmark, Ireland, South Korea, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, UNFPA and, UNICEF.
Health Minister Jenista Mhagama announced the funding on July 18, 2025, in Dar es Salaam during the signing of the 2025/26 Side Agreement between the government and the HBF partners.
The funds will be used to improve healthcare infrastructure, strengthen service delivery systems, and increase the availability of essential medicines and medical supplies in primary healthcare facilities nationwide. In addition, the funding aims to accelerate progress in reducing maternal and child mortality and support the implementation of Universal Health Insurance.
“Our development partners have expressed satisfaction with the progress made in maternal and child healthcare and the introduction of Universal Health Insurance,” said Minister Mhagama. “We are now scaling up efforts to address preventable deaths, especially those linked to pregnancy and childbirth.”
Minister Mhagama credited the government’s sound planning and transparent use of public resources for attracting continued support from development partners.
“Tanzania’s effective coordination and financial management of health sector programmes have earned us the trust of our partners,” she noted. “I take this opportunity to commend our public officials for their strong oversight and commitment to accountability.”
She directed permanent secretaries in ministries related to the health sector to ensure technical committees address emerging challenges swiftly and coordinate closely with relevant ministers to support smooth implementation.
Since its inception in 1999, the Health Basket Fund has disbursed over USD 1.3 billion equivalent to TSh3.2 trillion towards the implementation of Tanzania’s Health Sector Strategic Plans.
Notably, since 2017, the funds have been disbursed directly to public primary healthcare facilities, benefiting more than 7,300 centres across the country.
“This direct financing approach has brought significant improvements in access and efficiency, especially in rural and underserved areas,” the minister said.
The renewed commitment by development partners underscores the critical role of joint financing in achieving health equity and ensuring that quality services are accessible to every Tanzanian.