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Tanzania's efforts to build a
resilient and inclusive healthcare system could fall short unless longstanding
barriers to collaboration between the Government and the private sector are
addressed, healthcare stakeholders have cautioned.
The President of the Medical
Association of Tanzania (MAT), Dr Nkoronko Mugisha, says public-private
partnerships (PPPs) remain one of the most effective tools for accelerating
health sector reforms, but their potential is being constrained by a lack of trust,
regulatory bottlenecks and limited investment resources.
Speaking during a health
sector dialogue on the role of PPPs in transforming healthcare delivery, Dr
Mugisha argued that achieving the country's long-term development ambitions
will depend heavily on the health of its population.
His remarks come as Tanzania
pursues the goals outlined in the National Development Vision 2050, which seeks
to transform the country into a trillion-dollar economy while improving
citizens' living standards.
"A nation cannot achieve
sustainable economic growth without a healthy population. Health is not only a
social service; it is a key driver of productivity and development," Dr
Mugisha said.
Despite the Government's
commitment to engaging the private sector, he noted that mutual suspicion
between the two sides continues to slow investment and delay the implementation
of major health projects.
According to him, many
private investors remain uncertain about working with public institutions,
while government agencies often hesitate to fully embrace private-sector
participation in healthcare delivery.
"The Government is wary
of private investors, and the private sector is equally concerned about how it
will work with Government institutions. The time has come to address these
concerns and build a culture of trust," he said.
He argued that the trust
deficit has become a significant obstacle to healthcare investment, preventing
potentially transformative projects from moving beyond the planning stage.
Beyond trust issues, Dr
Mugisha identified legal and administrative frameworks as another challenge
requiring urgent attention. While regulations are necessary to safeguard public
interests, he said overly complex procedures can discourage innovation and slow
the implementation of partnership projects.
"The legal and
regulatory environment should continue evolving to facilitate collaboration and
attract greater investment into the health sector," he said.
Financing remains another
critical challenge. As healthcare demands continue to rise due to population
growth and changing disease patterns, Dr Mugisha noted that Government
resources alone are unlikely to meet the sector's expanding needs.
The costs associated with
building hospitals, acquiring advanced medical equipment and introducing modern
healthcare technologies are increasing, creating a strong case for greater
private-sector participation.
"The scale of investment
required today calls for innovative partnership models that allow private
investors to contribute meaningfully to health infrastructure and technology
development," he said.
Dr Mugisha also emphasized
the importance of implementing Universal Health Insurance, arguing that
financial barriers continue to prevent many Tanzanians from accessing essential
healthcare services.
He said thousands of
households are still forced to sell assets or borrow money to pay for
treatment, a situation that often pushes families deeper into poverty.
"Health is a fundamental
right. No citizen should become poor because they are seeking medical
treatment. Transforming the health sector requires major changes in mindset,
systems and service delivery models," he said.
To accelerate reform, Dr
Mugisha proposed six priority areas where public-private partnerships could
have the greatest impact. These include expanding access to healthcare services
through stronger hospitals and health centres, increasing the availability of
specialist care, and investing in modern medical technologies such as MRI, CT
Scan and Cath Lab equipment through partnership arrangements.
He also called for greater
investment in health innovation, digital technologies and workforce development
to ensure healthcare professionals possess the skills needed to deliver modern,
evidence-based care.
Other priorities include
strengthening governance and accountability mechanisms, improving efficiency in
resource utilization and raising healthcare quality standards to international
levels.
According to Dr Mugisha,
these reforms could position Tanzania to benefit more from the growing medical
tourism market while enhancing the quality of care available to local citizens.
"If you want to go fast,
you can go alone. But if you want to go far, you must go with others. That is
how we should build Tanzania's health sector," he said.
His remarks underscore a growing consensus among
health stakeholders that meaningful transformation of the sector will require
stronger cooperation between the Government and private investors, supported by
policies that encourage innovation, investment and shared responsibility for
delivering quality healthcare services.
