Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Health, Grace Magembe, has called on health sector staff to adopt a consistent culture of physical exercise as part of efforts to protect their health, improve productivity, and reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases.
She made the remarks on July 6, 2026, at the Ministry of Health offices in Mtumba, Dodoma, during a brief ceremony held to officially welcome her into office following her appointment and swearing-in by the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Dr. Magembe said the Ministry leadership will continue to strengthen workplace wellness programmes, including structured physical exercise sessions that have already been integrated into the official work schedule to ensure staff participation and discipline.
She emphasized that all employees should take exercise seriously as part of their daily routine, noting that she will also actively take part in the scheduled physical fitness activities together with other staff.
According to her, regular physical activity is essential for improving both physical and mental health. She explained that exercise helps strengthen the immune system and reduces the risk of lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart-related conditions.
She added that a healthy workforce is key to delivering efficient and quality public services to citizens.
Dr. Magembe directed ministry staff to strictly adhere to the official exercise timetable and fully participate in all wellness initiatives organized within the institution.
She stressed that promoting health at the workplace is part of broader government efforts to improve efficiency and service delivery in the health sector.
She further reaffirmed the government’s commitment to preventive healthcare approaches, saying that encouraging regular exercise among public servants will help reduce the national burden of disease.
She noted that building a strong culture of fitness within government institutions will not only improve individual wellbeing but also enhance the overall performance of the public service system.
