Tanzania is moving closer to establishing a Public Health Medicine College under the East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA Health Community), in a major step aimed at strengthening specialist training in public health and improving the country’s health system.
The development was announced by the Government Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Grace Magembe, following high-level discussions held on May 25, 2026, in Geneva, Switzerland, where the Tanzanian delegation met regional public health experts and training institutions.
Dr. Magembe said the discussions gave Tanzania an opportunity to learn from member states of ECSA-HC that are already implementing structured programmes in public health medicine, including Zimbabwe.
She said these programmes have played a key role in producing highly skilled experts who support disease prevention, health system management, and emergency response.
She noted that the proposed college will help Tanzania strengthen its capacity to produce public health specialists who are able to respond to both current and emerging health challenges.
These include communicable and non-communicable diseases, outbreak preparedness, and overall health system strengthening.
According to Dr. Magembe, the initiative is part of broader efforts by the government to improve the quality and efficiency of health services in the country.
She said investing in specialized training is essential for building a strong health workforce capable of addressing complex health needs.
She added that Tanzania is exploring how best to implement the programme using existing national institutions, experienced health professionals, and current training structures under the Ministry of Health.
This approach, she said, will help ensure sustainability while making full use of available local expertise.
Dr. Magembe further said that the government will continue internal consultations through the Ministry of Health’s Training Directorate and relevant professional bodies to provide guidance on the country’s participation in the regional initiative.
She emphasized that collaboration with ECSA-HC will be key in ensuring the success of the proposed college, noting that regional cooperation will help harmonize training standards and strengthen health systems across member states.
Once established, the Public Health Medicine College is expected to play an important role in improving disease surveillance, strengthening health policies, and enhancing emergency preparedness in Tanzania and across the wider region.
Dr. Magembe reaffirmed Tanzania’s commitment to working closely with regional partners to ensure the initiative delivers long-term benefits for public health and supports the goal of building a healthier and more resilient population.
