Tanzania continues to deepen cooperation with development partners and neighbouring countries to improve health services and strengthen protection against cross-border diseases and outbreaks.
The Government says these efforts are key in ensuring that citizens receive better healthcare, especially in prevention, vaccination, and rapid response to health emergencies that may spread across borders.
This was said on April 29, 2026, by the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Grace Magembe, during the National Health Week celebrations held in Kibiti District Council, Pwani Region.
Dr. Magembe said collaboration with development partners and neighbouring countries has continued to improve the delivery of essential health services, particularly in immunization and disease control programmes.
She emphasized that diseases do not recognize borders, making regional cooperation necessary in preventing and controlling outbreaks before they spread widely.
“This year’s National Health Week is guided by the theme ‘Universal Health Insurance, the Foundation of Quality Health Services for Every Tanzanian.’ It reflects the Government’s commitment to ensure every citizen accesses quality health services without financial barriers,” said Dr. Magembe.
She added that expanding health insurance coverage remains a priority as the Government continues to strengthen prevention systems, early diagnosis, and treatment services to improve public health outcomes.
Dr. Magembe also highlighted progress in vaccination services, saying cooperation with partners has helped reach communities in hard-to-access areas.
She noted that the Government has deployed seven special boats to support the distribution of vaccines and health services in remote areas with transport challenges.
Out of these, five boats have been assigned to mainland Tanzania and two to Zanzibar, aiming to improve service delivery in islands and lakeside communities where road access is limited.
During the National Health Week, health services were provided through mobile clinics and outreach programs in more than 8,600 health facilities across the country.
These services included screening for non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and cancer, as well as health education.
Dr. Magembe said the outreach helped many citizens access early diagnosis and understand the importance of healthy lifestyles in preventing long-term diseases.
She also noted that the Government continues to strengthen cleanliness and sanitation through national hygiene competitions involving local authorities, schools, hospitals, universities, and other institutions.
According to her, maintaining clean environments is essential in preventing diseases such as cholera and other infections linked to poor sanitation.
In another development, Dr. Magembe announced that the Government will soon provide special ambulances designed to transport patients suspected of infectious diseases in border areas and major transport hubs.
These include Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) stations, the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), and major bus terminals, where high movement of people increases the risk of disease spread.
She said the initiative is part of strengthening emergency response systems and ensuring quick isolation and safe handling of suspected cases to protect the wider community.
Dr. Magembe further stressed that Tanzania will continue to work closely with neighbouring countries by sharing timely health information and strengthening early warning systems to prevent outbreaks.
She said real cooperation is reflected in practical actions that improve services and protect citizens’ health.
Health stakeholders said the ongoing collaboration has improved disease surveillance, emergency response, and vaccination coverage across the region.
Citizens who participated in the health week activities expressed appreciation for the Government’s efforts, especially in expanding health services to rural and hard-to-reach communities.
The National Health Week continues to serve as a key platform for promoting public health awareness, strengthening partnerships, and improving healthcare delivery across Tanzania and the region.
