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| Ambassador of France in Tanzania , Anne Sophie Ave ( left) in discussion with CEO Roundtable of Tanzania Chairman , Mr. David Tarimo and Chief Executive Officer ,Ms. Santina Benson during an Iftar Talk Networking Dinner organised by the CEO's body to discuss on the role of private sector in strengthening the country's health system at Hyatt Kilimanjaro Hotel in Dar es Salaam |
The Government has expressed its readiness to work closely with the private sector stakeholders including the CEO Roundtable of Tanzania (CEOrt) to ensure universal health coverage becomes accessible to all Tanzanians.
Chief Medical Officer at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Grace Magembe, made the
remarks during an Iftar Networking Dinner organized by the CEO Roundtable of
Tanzania at Hyatt Kilimanjaro Hotel in Dar es Salaam, where business leaders,
policymakers, and health stakeholders gathered to discuss the role of the
private sector in strengthening the country’s health system.
The event, held at the Hyatt Regency Dar es Salaam, The Kilimanjaro on March
10, brought together leaders from the business community, government
institutions, and development partners under the theme “Health as an
Investment: The Business Case for Universal Health.”
Dr. Magembe said the government recognizes the importance of partnerships
with the private sector in advancing the implementation of the Universal Health
Insurance Act and improving access to quality healthcare services across the
country.
“The government is ready to work with the private sector through platforms
such as the CEO Roundtable of Tanzania to ensure that universal health
insurance becomes a reality for every Tanzanian,” she said.
She explained that the government’s universal health coverage agenda is
guided by three key pillars: expanding access to healthcare services, improving
affordability, and ensuring the delivery of quality healthcare.
“Universal Health Insurance is about ensuring that every Tanzanian can
access quality healthcare without facing financial hardship. Infrastructure and
services are expanding, but the insurance framework ensures affordability does
not prevent people from receiving the care they need,” Dr. Magembe said.
According to the Chief Medical Officer, Tanzania has made significant
progress in strengthening its healthcare system over the past decade. She noted
that approximately 80 to 85 percent of the population can now access a health
facility within a five-kilometre radius.
She also highlighted ongoing investments in diagnostic technologies,
emergency medical services, and specialized medical training, which have
significantly improved the country’s healthcare capacity.
Dr. Magembe emphasized that public-private partnerships remain critical in
advancing health sector reforms and improving healthcare delivery nationwide.
“The most important resource any organization has is its people. If we
invest in human capital and protect the health of our workforce, we strengthen
productivity, economic resilience, and the nation’s long-term development,” she
added.
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| Chief Medical Officer at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Grace Magembe ( right) stresses a point during a dialogue on the role of private sector in strengthening the country's health system during an Iftar Networking Dinner organised by the CEO Roundtable of Tanzania at Hyatt Kilimanjaro Hotel in Dar es Salaam. On her right side to support her is Strategis Insurance Group CEO, Dr. Flora Minja. |
Delivering the keynote address, Group Chief Executive Officer of Strategis Insurance Tanzania Limited, Dr. Flora Minja, said strong health systems are essential not only for social well-being but also for business continuity and economic growth.
She noted that companies increasingly recognize the strategic importance of
investing in the health of their employees.
“Companies thrive when their people are healthy. When illness disrupts the
workforce, organizations experience operational setbacks, declining output, and
challenges in retaining skilled employees,” Dr. Minja said.
She added that strengthening health insurance coverage can help companies
improve workforce stability while contributing to national development.
Dr. Minja also warned that healthcare costs are rising globally at a faster
rate than general inflation, emphasizing the need for expanded insurance
coverage and stronger preventive health systems to ensure healthcare remains
accessible and sustainable.
Meanwhile, Executive Director of the CEO Roundtable of Tanzania, Ms. Santina
Majengo Benson, said the private sector is ready to support national health
priorities through workplace health programs, insurance coverage, and strategic
partnerships that strengthen the overall health ecosystem.
She noted that forums such as the CEOrt Iftar engagement provide an
opportunity for business leaders and policymakers to exchange ideas, build
partnerships, and identify practical ways the private sector can contribute to
improved health outcomes.
The CEO Roundtable of Tanzania reiterated its commitment to continue serving as a platform for dialogue, advocacy, and collaboration between the government and the private sector in supporting Tanzania’s journey toward universal health coverage.
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| A cross section of CEO Roundtable of Tanzania (CEort) members who took part at the Iftar Networking Dinner organised by the CEO's body to discuss on the role of private sector in strengthening the country's health system at Hyatt Kilimanjaro Hotel in Dar es Salaam |
