MWE Correspondent
The Minister for Health in Tanzania, Mr Mohamed Mchengerwa, has directed health professionals trained at government expense to return to public service, in a renewed push to address rising maternal and infant mortality rates across the country.
Opening a Health Ministry Workers’ Council meeting in Mwanza, the minister expressed concern over persistent high mortality figures, noting that Tanzania continues to record approximately 2,330 maternal deaths and more than 57,000 newborn deaths annually. He described the statistics as unacceptable and a serious challenge to the national health system.
Mr Mchengerwa attributed the situation to a combination of factors, including delays in receiving medical care, shortages of essential services, and instances of negligence within some health facilities. He urged health workers to take collective responsibility in reversing the trend and improving patient outcomes.
A key focus of his directive was the enforcement of service obligations for medical professionals who received government sponsorship for their training. The minister said that some doctors and specialists had moved into private practice or failed to return to public institutions after completing further studies, despite contractual requirements to serve in government facilities.
He stressed that such professionals must fulfill their commitments and return to the public health system, emphasizing that state investment in medical education is intended to strengthen national healthcare delivery.
Beyond staffing concerns, the minister outlined broader reforms aimed at improving the health sector. These include efforts to enhance working conditions for medical staff through an incentive-based framework, expand domestic production of medicines to reduce reliance on imports, and strengthen mental health services across the country.
Also Read; East Africa Pushes Unified Telecom Integration Plan
Mr Mchengerwa also called for improved standards of care in hospitals and clinics, warning against practices such as abusive communication, discrimination, and corruption. He said patient dignity and professional conduct must remain central to healthcare delivery.
The government, he added, is currently reviewing lists of health professionals who have not met their service obligations, as part of wider efforts to strengthen accountability and improve efficiency in public hospitals.
Health experts say Tanzania’s challenge reflects broader systemic pressures faced by many developing countries, where shortages of skilled personnel and uneven distribution of medical staff continue to affect service delivery, particularly in rural areas.
The directive signals a more assertive approach by authorities to address human resource gaps in the health sector, which remains a critical component of national development and public welfare.
As reforms continue, attention is now focused on whether stricter enforcement of service agreements, combined with improved working conditions, will help reduce mortality rates and strengthen confidence in public healthcare systems across the country.
