The Government of Tanzania has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening reproductive, maternal, newborn and family planning health services, assuring citizens that access to essential health care will continue uninterrupted following the conclusion of a long-term development-supported programme.
Speaking on June 18, 2026, in Dodoma during a conference on scaling up family planning services and the official closure of a nine-year reproductive health project at Mabeyo Hall, the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Grace Magembe, said the government has already set aside funds to ensure continuity of services across the country.
Dr. Magembe said the allocated resources will be used to procure essential reproductive health commodities, strengthen health systems, and support training of health workers, ensuring that services for mothers, newborns, and family planning remain available in all health facilities.
She assured citizens that the end of the project does not mean the end of services, emphasizing that reproductive and maternal health services will continue to be delivered through both public and private health facilities under the coordination of the Ministry of Health Tanzania.
“For Tanzanians, the conclusion of this project does not mean services have stopped. The government has invested for nine years in strengthening systems, training health workers and improving service delivery. All these services will continue as part of routine health care,” she said.
Dr. Magembe explained that the project, implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Health Tanzania, TAMISEMI, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology Tanzania, development partners and local government authorities, has significantly improved access and quality of reproductive health services across the country.
She said one of the major achievements is the improvement of skills among health workers, enabling them to provide better and more inclusive services, including for people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.
According to her, the programme also strengthened the supply system for health commodities, helping to reduce shortages of essential family planning supplies and improving availability of maternal and child health services in health facilities.
In the education sector, Dr. Magembe noted that teachers were trained to provide accurate reproductive health education to students, helping young people make informed life choices, reduce teenage pregnancies, and avoid preventable health risks.
She further emphasized that special attention was given to vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities, to ensure they are not left behind in accessing reproductive health information and services.
Health officials said the government’s approach of integrating the programme into the national health system will ensure long-term sustainability and continued improvements in maternal and reproductive health outcomes.
The conference brought together government officials, health experts, and development partners who reviewed achievements made over the nine-year programme and discussed future strategies to further strengthen family planning and reproductive health services.
Dr. Magembe reiterated that family planning remains a key pillar in improving the health of families, reducing maternal deaths, and supporting national development, adding that the government will continue prioritizing investments in the health sector for the benefit of all citizens.
