The government is advancing the construction and upgrading of the New Muhimbili Hospital to expand access to specialist and highly specialised medical services and reduce the need for Tanzanians to seek complex treatment abroad.
Deputy Minister for Health Dr Florence Samizi, speaking on behalf of Health Minister Mohamed Mchengerwa on Thursday, August 20, 2026, said the project is aimed at giving citizens access to modern healthcare facilities and treatment services that meet international standards.
She said the project responds to rising demand for specialist and highly specialised care at Muhimbili National Hospital, which receives patients from across Tanzania and neighbouring countries.
The expansion is also expected to address challenges associated with ageing buildings and infrastructure at the national referral hospital, allowing health workers to serve patients in a more modern and efficient environment.
According to Dr Samizi, completion of the project will enable Muhimbili to expand and introduce critical specialised services, including kidney transplantation, radiotherapy, minimally invasive surgery, intensive care, emergency services, in-vitro fertilisation and bone marrow transplantation.
For patients and their families, the expansion could translate into greater access to advanced treatment within Tanzania, reducing the financial and logistical burden associated with travelling abroad for specialised medical care.
The project is also expected to strengthen the training of doctors, nurses and other health professionals, while creating better facilities for medical research involving advanced technologies.
Dr Samizi said the government wants Muhimbili to develop into a centre of excellence capable of providing high-level specialist care and supporting Tanzania's ambition to become a destination for medical treatment in East and Southern Africa.
A stronger national referral hospital would not only benefit patients referred from other regions but could also help improve the country's capacity to handle increasingly complex medical conditions locally.
The development is therefore expected to complement broader government efforts to modernise health infrastructure, strengthen specialised healthcare and ensure citizens can access quality treatment without having to travel long distances or leave the country.
For ordinary Tanzanians, the success of the New Muhimbili project will ultimately be measured by whether more patients can obtain advanced treatment on time, at an affordable cost and closer to home.
