Dodoma. The National Hospital of Muhimbili (MNH) is seeking to improve patient care and hospital efficiency by applying lessons from an international congress that highlighted the role of technology, skilled health workers and financial sustainability in healthcare delivery.
The 49th International Hospital Federation (IHF) World Hospital Congress 2026, held in Seoul, South Korea, brought together healthcare leaders to discuss how hospitals can respond to emerging challenges while maintaining safe, accessible and quality services.
MNH, under Executive Director Dr Delilah Kimambo, said the experience gained at the meeting would help identify areas for improvement, strengthen operational efficiency and promote practices that put patients’ needs at the centre of care.
The congress concluded with a call for hospitals to strengthen international cooperation, embrace innovation and build systems capable of responding to changes in the health sector.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, IHF president Dr Henry Gallardo said the future of healthcare depended on hospitals’ ability to adapt, collaborate and use innovation to improve services for patients.
Five priorities emerged from the discussions: the safe and ethical use of artificial intelligence (AI), environmental sustainability, the safety of patients and healthcare workers, investment in health professionals’ development and well-being, and the financial sustainability of hospitals.
The priorities reflect the growing pressure on healthcare institutions to improve service quality while managing costs, protecting workers and ensuring that investments deliver tangible benefits to patients.
For Muhimbili, the challenge will be to translate lessons from the congress into practical changes that improve the experience of patients, strengthen the use of available resources and support more efficient service delivery.
The discussions on artificial intelligence also highlighted the need for hospitals to adopt emerging technologies responsibly, ensuring that innovation supports clinical decisions and patient care without compromising safety or ethical standards.
Meanwhile, the focus on health workers underscored the importance of investing in professional development and well-being, given their central role in delivering services and maintaining patient safety.
Financial sustainability was another key issue, with hospitals encouraged to manage resources efficiently to maintain services over the long term. Environmental sustainability and preparedness for future emergencies were also highlighted as important elements of resilient healthcare systems.
For patients, the value of such international engagements will ultimately depend on whether the knowledge shared leads to measurable improvements, including safer treatment, more efficient services and better use of hospital resources.
MNH said the knowledge gained from the congress would guide efforts to strengthen its operations and adopt practices that respond to patients’ needs.