The Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Grace Magembe, has underlined that updated Referral Guidelines for patients and Minimum Standards for health facilities are key tools in boosting the quality and efficiency of healthcare services across Tanzania.
Dr. Magembe made the remarks on October 22, 2025, while closing a stakeholder consultation meeting in Morogoro. The meeting sought expert input on the draft guidelines, which aim to modernize healthcare service delivery.
“These guidelines are essential for improving the quality and efficiency of our health services. The revisions are designed to match ongoing changes and major reforms in the sector, ensuring our services continuously improve,” she said.
She noted that the current guidelines are outdated, making a review necessary to reflect the current healthcare landscape, including improved infrastructure, growing numbers of health personnel, and investments in medical equipment.
According to Dr. Magembe, the Minimum Standards Guidelines outline requirements for facility registration, licensing, staffing levels, and the quality of services each health facility should provide. Meanwhile, the Referral Guidelines are vital for coordinating patient flow between different levels of care.
“Implementation of these guidelines will go hand in hand with the Universal Health Insurance Act, which ensures every Tanzanian can access quality healthcare services without financial barriers,” she stressed.
Dr. Magembe also urged stakeholders from government, private sector, and non-governmental organizations to provide professional feedback during the consultation, which will help the Ministry of Health finalize the guidelines efficiently.
She reiterated that the government is committed to strengthening the health sector through substantial investment in infrastructure, medical equipment, and human resources, with the private sector remaining a critical partner in these development efforts.
