The government is set to expand access to prosthetics, orthotics and assistive devices services across health facilities in the country as part of efforts to improve rehabilitation care and enhance the quality of life for people living with disabilities.
The Ministry of Health said the services will also be integrated into health insurance schemes, a move expected to enable more Tanzanians to access essential rehabilitation support without facing financial barriers.
The announcement was made during the launch of prosthetics and assistive devices services at Mzinga Hospital in Morogoro, where the Ministry’s Director of Curative Services, Dr Hamady Nyembea, said expanding the services is among priorities outlined in the ministry’s five-year strategic plan.
Dr Nyembea said the government is working to ensure that rehabilitation services are available at all levels of healthcare delivery, while improving the quality of artificial limbs and other assistive devices through the use of modern technology and lightweight materials designed to meet patients’ specific needs.
“Achieving our goals in this area requires research and skilled experts. The private sector also has an important role to play in increasing investment and support,” he said.
He said prosthetics and assistive devices are a critical part of a complete healthcare system, noting that effective treatment goes beyond addressing illnesses to include rehabilitation and helping patients regain independence.
“Quality healthcare includes prevention, disease control, treatment, rehabilitation and palliative care services,” Dr Nyembea said.
The move comes as disability remains an important public health issue, with the 2022 Population and Housing Census showing that 11.2 per cent of Tanzanians live with some form of disability.
Dr Nyembea said the increase in disabilities has been linked to several factors, including non-communicable diseases, accidents, congenital conditions and an ageing population.
He said strengthening rehabilitation services will help more people participate fully in society by improving mobility and access to daily activities.
Meanwhile, Tanzania People’s Defence Force (TPDF) representative Brigadier General Agatha Kafua called for closer cooperation between the Ministry of Health and Mzinga Hospital to strengthen training programmes for specialists in prosthetics and assistive devices.
She said having enough trained professionals is essential to ensuring that citizens receive quality and sustainable rehabilitation services.