Tanzania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, has underlined the importance of health diplomacy in advancing the country’s global health services during a conference held at the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS).
The conference, which focused on promoting international cooperation to improve health service delivery worldwide, coincided with the launch of Tanzania’s updated Foreign Policy (2024 edition) on 19 May 2025 by President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
The policy emphasizes economic diplomacy, including in sectors such as healthcare, to drive national development.
Minister Kombo praised MUHAS students for their early engagement in health diplomacy, noting Tanzania’s emergence as a regional hub for specialised medical treatment.
This shift has significantly reduced the financial burden of sending patients abroad for care, strengthening Tanzania’s healthcare system and its reputation in the region.
“The Muhimbili conference sends a clear message to Africa and the international community that Tanzania is equipped to offer world-class health services,” Kombo said.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also extended its diplomatic engagement beyond the capital by participating in a regional conference in Dodoma in June 2025.
This event, convened by the Dodoma Regional Commissioner, showcased the region’s opportunities in healthcare, education, trade, investment, and tourism to foreign diplomats accredited in Tanzania.
This strategic approach reflects Tanzania’s broader commitment to leveraging diplomacy as a tool for national growth and international collaboration.