More than 3,000 health-sector stakeholders from Tanzania and around the world are expected to gather in Arusha this week for an international conference aimed at strengthening primary healthcare and accelerating progress towards universal health coverage.
The second International Primary Health Care Conference (IPHCC) will be held from September 9 to 11 at the Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC).
Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office responsible for Regional Administration and Local Government, Prof Riziki Shemdoe, said on Sunday that the conference would provide Tanzania with an opportunity to share its experience in improving primary healthcare services.
He said Tanzania would highlight interventions that have contributed to improvements in maternal and child health, as well as broader reforms in the delivery of primary healthcare.
Prof Shemdoe said the conference would also allow countries to exchange experiences on reforms in primary healthcare and develop joint strategies to improve access to services.
“The conference will provide an opportunity to exchange experiences on improvements in primary healthcare taking place around the world and develop joint strategies to achieve national and global health goals,” he said.
The discussions are expected to contribute to efforts towards universal health coverage and the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Prof Shemdoe said he would personally participate in the conference and invited delegates from different countries to attend the meeting in Arusha.
Participants are expected to include primary healthcare professionals, policymakers, development partners, researchers, academics, students, civil society organisations and representatives from the private sector.
The conference comes as Tanzania continues to focus on strengthening healthcare delivery at the community and primary-care levels, where early access to treatment and preventive services can play a key role in reducing avoidable deaths.
Organisers said more than 3,000 participants had registered through the conference website, reflecting the growing international focus on primary healthcare as a foundation for achieving universal access to health services.