Tanzania is expanding its capacity to diagnose rare diseases through increased investment in medical research, genomic laboratories and public awareness, the Ministry of Health has said.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr Grace Magembe, said the investments were improving the country’s ability to identify rare conditions that can often go undiagnosed due to limited awareness and specialised diagnostic services.
Dr Magembe made the remarks yesterday, August 13, 2026, when responding to questions from members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and HIV/AIDS at the Small Parliament Chamber in Dodoma.
She was responding on behalf of Health Minister Mohamed Mchengerwa.
“Rare diseases cannot be separated from research, particularly research involving genetics and DNA. The government has continued investing in establishing and strengthening genomic laboratories in different parts of the country to increase the capacity to investigate and diagnose these diseases,” Dr Magembe said.
She said research was particularly important because some rare diseases are associated with genetic and DNA-related conditions that require specialised testing to confirm.
Beyond laboratory capacity, Dr Magembe said public education remained critical in improving early diagnosis.
She urged families to seek medical attention when children develop unusual or persistent symptoms, saying early recognition could increase the chances of timely diagnosis and appropriate care.
“Rare diseases can affect any family, not only those with low incomes,” she said, warning that misconceptions could prevent families from seeking medical assistance.
Some families, she noted, continue to hide children living with rare conditions because of beliefs that their illnesses are linked to curses or witchcraft.
The situation can delay diagnosis and access to treatment, while also exposing affected children and their families to stigma and social isolation.
Dr Magembe said the government would continue investing in research, public education and financial resources to strengthen the identification and management of rare diseases.
The move is expected to improve access to specialised diagnosis and care while helping health professionals better understand conditions that remain difficult to identify through routine medical examinations.
For families, health authorities say, greater awareness remains an important first step—recognising unusual symptoms early and seeking professional medical advice rather than relying on misconceptions can make a significant difference.
