Tanzania’s health sector has been urged to strengthen the quality of radiology services by adopting internationally recognised standards in order to improve efficiency, safety and reliability in the delivery of healthcare.
The call was made on March 19, 2026 by the Radiography Services Coordinator at the Ministry of Health, Mr Gerald Mrema, during the opening of a one-day workshop for supervisors and providers of diagnostic and therapeutic radiation services from various institutions across the country.
Participants in the workshop included specialists from faith-based health facilities, the national hospital, zonal and specialised hospitals as well as private health institutions that provide radiology services.
Mr Mrema said the call comes after the completion of a review and improvement of national guidelines for the provision of radiology services, which have now been updated to align with international standards.
According to him, the updated quality manual aims to ensure that radiology services provided in health facilities across the country meet globally recognised standards while enhancing safety and reliability in patient care.
“The main objective of the Quality Manual is to ensure that services are delivered in line with internationally recognised quality standards. To obtain accreditation, it is necessary to have a guideline that sets and supervises the required standards in the delivery of radiation services,” said Mr Mrema.
He explained that obtaining accreditation will depend on how effectively health facilities implement the guidelines at all levels, including management systems, human resources, proper use of equipment and the establishment of effective monitoring and evaluation mechanisms throughout the service delivery process.
Mr Mrema noted that many patients choose hospitals such as Aga Khan and other high-level health facilities because they trust the quality and standards of services offered there, stressing that strengthening standards in radiology services will help build similar confidence across more health institutions in the country.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, Dr Salehe Abdallah from the Baraza Kuu la Waislamu Tanzania (BAKWATA) said radiology experts play a crucial role in the health sector as the diagnostic results they provide help doctors make timely and accurate treatment decisions.
He said improving the quality of radiology services will significantly contribute to better diagnosis, faster treatment and improved healthcare outcomes for patients.
The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the World Health Organization through the Pandemic Fund project, is continuing to strengthen and oversee the implementation of radiology quality guidelines at all levels of the health system, a move aimed at enhancing the overall efficiency and reliability of healthcare services in the country.
