The government has unveiled an ambitious plan to modernise and expand Muhimbili National Hospital in a move aimed at strengthening Tanzania’s capacity to provide specialised and super-specialised healthcare services.
Health Minister Mohamed Mchengerwa said the project will not only improve healthcare delivery but also create a better working environment for more than 4,000 medical experts serving at the country’s largest referral hospital.
Addressing Members of Parliament during a seminar in Dodoma on May 9, 2026, Mr Mchengerwa said Muhimbili continues to play a central role in the country’s healthcare system despite ongoing investments in new hospitals across Tanzania.
He said the decision to rehabilitate and reconstruct parts of the hospital was driven by increasing pressure on services and the deteriorating state of existing infrastructure.
“Even as the government continues constructing new hospitals, Muhimbili remains a critical pillar in the delivery of specialised and super-specialised healthcare services, training of experts and advancement of the health sector,” said Mr Mchengerwa.
“That is why the government is proceeding with this major rehabilitation and construction project to meet the growing demand for services, improve working conditions for our professionals and address the ageing infrastructure,” he added.
The minister revealed that in 2025 alone, Muhimbili handled 44,549 in-patients and attended to 458,474 out-patients, underlining the increasing burden on the facility.
He noted that the hospital currently spends between Sh6 billion and Sh8 billion annually on repairs and maintenance of infrastructure and medical equipment, a situation that has reduced the amount of resources available for medicines, medical supplies and further improvement of patient care.
The five-year project is expected to cost 468.469 million US dollars, equivalent to approximately Sh1.2 trillion.
Of the total amount, 363.9 million US dollars will come through a concessional loan from South Korea, while the Government of Tanzania will contribute 104.572 million US dollars to finance taxes, site preparation and other project-related costs.
According to Mr Mchengerwa, the Muhimbili redevelopment project is estimated to cost about 1,819 US dollars per square metre, placing it among the most cost-efficient large-scale hospital projects when compared to similar investments globally.
He said the project will cover approximately 115,000 square metres, making it larger than many hospitals in countries with advanced economies and highly developed healthcare systems.
The government believes the investment will position Tanzania among countries with modern and highly equipped medical facilities capable of reducing dependence on treatment abroad while improving access to advanced healthcare services for citizens.
