Tanzania has reinforced its national response to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as it continues implementing the Second National Action Plan on AMR (NAP AMR 2023–2028), aligned with the World Health Organization’s Global Action Plan and coordinated through a national multisectoral mechanism.
Speaking in Geneva on February 4, 2026, Chief Medical Officer Dr Grace Magembe said the government is also implementing the 2024 United Nations General Assembly Political Declaration by increasing domestic health financing, a move that has contributed to a 10 percent reduction in deaths linked to antimicrobial resistance.
She said the country’s efforts focus on strengthening laboratory services and disease surveillance systems, improving infection prevention and control in health facilities, expanding immunisation coverage, improving access to clean water and sanitation, and raising public awareness about antimicrobial resistance.
“These interventions are being implemented in a coordinated manner to reduce the burden of antimicrobial resistance and protect public health,” Dr Magembe said.
She noted that antimicrobial resistance remains a serious public health and economic threat, requiring coordinated action across human health, animal health, agriculture and the environment under the One Health approach.
Dr Magembe emphasised that combating substandard and falsified medical products is a key national priority, warning that such products undermine treatment outcomes and accelerate the spread of drug-resistant infections.
“Poor-quality and counterfeit health products pose serious risks to patients and weaken the effectiveness of treatment, while also increasing healthcare costs,” she said.
She explained that the Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices Authority (TMDA) has strengthened regulatory oversight through rigorous pre-market evaluation of medical products, enhanced post-market surveillance, routine inspections and enforcement operations.
The authority is also using rapid alert systems and conducting public awareness campaigns to protect consumers.
To address the challenge of antimicrobial resistance and counterfeit health products, Tanzania is promoting investment in local pharmaceutical manufacturing as a sustainable solution to improve access to quality medicines and reduce dependence on imports.
Dr Magembe also underscored the importance of strong leadership by the World Health Organization in harmonising health data systems and standards across countries.
She said reliable data, system interoperability and evidence-based decision-making are critical in guiding effective responses to antimicrobial resistance.
Tanzania’s renewed commitment reflects a broader global push to address antimicrobial resistance through sustained financing, strong regulation and international cooperation to safeguard public health and economic development.
