MWE Correspondent
The private sector now contributes more than 50 percent of total health expenditure in Tanzania, making it a critical pillar not only in the delivery of healthcare services but also in the financing of the country’s health system, government officials have said.
Speaking during the opening of a national conference for private health sector stakeholders held in Mtumba, Dodoma, Deputy Minister for Health Florence Samizi said the growing role of private providers has significantly strengthened access to healthcare services across the country.
She noted that approximately 40 percent of all health facilities in Tanzania are either owned or operated by private entities, a development she said has helped expand service coverage, reduce pressure on public hospitals, and improve accessibility for citizens, particularly in rapidly growing urban and peri-urban areas.
According to her, the private sector has become an essential component of the national health infrastructure, complementing government efforts in service delivery while also playing a major role in financing and innovation within the sector.
Samizi further highlighted that private health institutions have contributed significantly to employment creation for medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and allied health workers. This has helped to strengthen human resource capacity in a sector that continues to face staffing challenges.
She emphasized that collaboration between the public and private sectors remains vital for achieving national health goals, particularly in improving efficiency, expanding coverage, and ensuring sustainability of services.
For his part, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Grace Magembe commended the private sector for its growing investment in specialized and advanced medical services. He said this expansion has improved the quality of care available in the country, reducing the need for patients to seek treatment abroad for certain conditions.
He noted that the availability of specialized services within private facilities has contributed to better health outcomes and increased confidence in the national healthcare system.
Private Hospitals Advisory Board (PHAB) Registrar Meshack Shimwela said the board continues to strengthen oversight of private health facilities through registration, regular inspections, and issuance of professional guidelines.
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He stressed that maintaining high standards is essential to ensure patient safety and uphold trust in both private and public healthcare systems. The regulatory framework, he added, is being continuously reviewed to keep pace with the growing and evolving sector.
The three-day conference brought together more than 700 stakeholders from across the health sector, including government representatives, private providers, regulators, and development partners.
Discussions are focused on improving quality standards, enhancing efficiency, and strengthening collaboration between sectors as Tanzania moves toward universal health coverage goals.
Participants also explored ways to address existing challenges such as unequal distribution of facilities, cost of services, and integration of private providers into national health financing systems.
Experts at the conference noted that achieving universal health coverage will require deeper cooperation between the government and private sector, particularly in financing, infrastructure development, and workforce training.
With the private sector already playing a dominant role in both service provision and funding, stakeholders say the next phase will focus on ensuring equity, quality, and sustainability across the entire healthcare system.
