The government is moving to strengthen the regulation and quality of healthcare services as it reviews the 2007 Health Policy to make it more responsive to the changing needs of Tanzanians.
Deputy Minister for Health Dr Florence Samizi said on Friday that the review was necessary to ensure the country’s health policy and legal framework keep pace with developments in the sector while protecting citizens’ rights to quality and equitable healthcare.
Dr Samizi was representing Health Minister Mohamed Mchengerwa when she presented a report on the 2007 Health Policy and the proposed Health Services Management law to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and HIV/AIDS in Dodoma.
She said implementation of the 2007 policy had helped expand access to healthcare, with about 80 per cent of Tanzanians now able to access health services within five kilometres of their homes.
The policy has also contributed to improvements in key health outcomes, including a reduction in maternal and under-five mortality, she said.
However, Dr Samizi said expanding access must go hand in hand with stronger mechanisms for ensuring that services provided to citizens meet required standards.
“The government aims to establish a system that will oversee the quality of health services, protect patients’ rights and ensure every citizen receives services fairly, regardless of their circumstances,” she said.
The proposed reforms are expected to strengthen how complaints and challenges arising during the provision of healthcare are handled, giving patients greater protection when their rights are violated or when services fall below required standards.
Dr Samizi also said the government would continue strengthening professional regulation and accountability among health workers.
She said professional errors and misconduct would be addressed in accordance with the law and established procedures, while ensuring that patients’ rights remain protected.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Dr Grace Magembe said healthcare financing was another important area addressed through the reforms.
She said the government was implementing the Universal Health Insurance Act and developing arrangements to support citizens who cannot afford healthcare costs.
“This is intended to ensure that financial difficulties do not prevent citizens from accessing essential health services,” Dr Magembe said.
The ministry is also working on a stronger legal framework to regulate the provision of healthcare services across the country.
Among the proposed changes is the formal recognition of the mandate of the Office of the Chief Medical Officer and the establishment of an institution responsible for healthcare quality assurance and accreditation.
Dr Magembe said the reforms would help create clearer responsibility for monitoring healthcare standards and improve accountability among institutions and professionals providing services to the public.
The ministry has also received recommendations and views from MPs on the Health Policy and Health Services Management law.
Dr Magembe said the contributions would be considered as the government finalises the reforms to ensure that the new framework responds to citizens’ needs and reflects changes taking place in the health sector.
The reforms could mark an important step in shifting the focus beyond simply expanding healthcare access to ensuring that Tanzanians receive safe, affordable, accountable and quality services wherever they seek treatment.
