Former Tanzanian President Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, who chairs the Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete Foundation (JMKF), participated in the 67th Health Ministers’ Meeting of the East, Central, and Southern African Health Community (ECSA-HC) held on February 2–3, 2026, in Ezulwini, Kingdom of Eswatini.
The meeting brought together health leaders from nine member states to address strategies for strengthening regional health systems.
A key focus was the decline or suspension of donor funding for health projects, a challenge affecting many countries in the region.
In his opening remarks to Chief Secretaries and senior officials, Dr. Kikwete urged governments to be proactive in finding alternative funding sources to ensure ongoing projects are not disrupted.
“Governments cannot tell citizens that health services are suspended because donors stopped funding. Policymakers must find solutions to guarantee that citizens continue receiving essential health services,” he said.
Drawing on his experience as President, Dr. Kikwete highlighted regional collaboration as a way to build resilient health systems.
He pointed to ECSA-HC’s joint procurement of medicines, equipment, and medical supplies, which has reduced costs and improved efficiency compared to individual country purchases.
Dr. Kikwete also shared Tanzania’s recent health achievements under President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan’s government.
Strong partnerships with civil society, including JMKF, have helped reduce maternal mortality from 560 deaths per 100,000 live births to 104, making Tanzania a continental leader in progress toward the UN Sustainable Development Goal 3.1.
He cited JMKF’s “Jamii Salama” mobile clinic project in remote areas of Uyui and Sikonge districts, Tabora, which has provided health services to over 1,500 mothers and health education to more than 3,200 schoolchildren.
Services include ultrasound scans, malaria treatment, and maternal care, directly contributing to lower maternal and infant mortality rates.
On the sidelines, Dr. Kikwete led participants to meet King Mswati III of Eswatini, who welcomed the initiative and promised to share the meeting’s outcomes with fellow ECSA-HC leaders and other regional bodies.
