Tanzania has called for closer cooperation with the World Health Organisation (WHO), with the government seeking to translate investments in the health sector into better treatment outcomes, improved emergency response and reduced maternal and child deaths.
The government says the partnership should increasingly focus on addressing the country's most pressing healthcare challenges, including the treatment of stroke patients, care for road accident victims and preparedness for disease outbreaks.
Chief Medical Officer Prof Bruno Sunguya made the call during a joint meeting between the Ministry of Health and WHO on November 1, 2026, where he urged experts from both institutions to ensure their cooperation delivers measurable improvements in healthcare services.
He commended technical teams from the ministry and WHO for supporting the implementation of various health programmes, but stressed that future interventions must be guided by Tanzania's national priorities and produce tangible benefits for citizens.
A key priority, he said, is strengthening the use of scientific research and evidence in developing health policies, guidelines and treatment approaches.
“The government continues to need scientific evidence and research that can be used to improve policies, guidelines and healthcare delivery,” Prof Sunguya said.
He argued that research should not remain confined to academic institutions but should inform decisions on how health services are planned, financed and delivered.
The meeting also highlighted the need to review WHO guidelines and assess their implementation in Tanzania to establish whether they adequately address local healthcare challenges.
Prof Sunguya said international standards should be evaluated against the country's circumstances and adjusted where necessary to ensure they respond to the needs of Tanzanians.
The call comes as the government continues investing in health infrastructure, medical equipment and the training of healthcare workers. However, Prof Sunguya said the value of such investments should ultimately be measured by improvements in the quality of treatment and outcomes for patients.
He emphasised that better facilities and equipment must translate into more effective services, rather than being viewed as achievements in themselves.
Maternal and child health remains another major priority, with the government seeking to sustain efforts to reduce deaths among mothers and children.
Prof Sunguya urged the ministry and WHO to strengthen existing interventions, improve reproductive healthcare and build on progress made in maternal and child health services.
Beyond preventive healthcare, he identified stroke treatment and the management of road accident injuries as areas requiring greater attention.
These conditions have significant implications for patients, families and the health system because of their treatment requirements and associated costs, he said.
He called for sustainable interventions to improve the capacity of health facilities to manage such cases and provide timely treatment.
Emergency preparedness was also highlighted as an important area for cooperation, particularly in strengthening referral laboratory capacity, health infrastructure and specialised response teams.
Prof Sunguya said the ability to transport and test medical samples promptly was critical to detecting disease outbreaks early and mounting an effective response.
He stressed that stronger laboratory systems and adequately equipped response teams would improve the country's readiness to manage public health emergencies.
The Ministry of Health, he said, would continue working with WHO to strengthen the health system and ensure that cooperation between the two institutions contributes to better healthcare outcomes for Tanzanians.