Joseph Isangura
Health Minister Ummy Mwalimu has highlighted the urgent need to reassess the production of healthcare professionals in Tanzania. During the Human Resource in Health Sector Conference organized by the Benjamin Mkapa Foundatio in Dar es Salaam, Minister Ummy emphasized that the number of healthcare workers being trained exceeds the available employment opportunities, necessitating a thorough review and strategic solutions.
Ummy questioned the rationale behind producing 2,000 nurses annually when only 300 are employed each year. Similarly, the annual graduation of 1,500 doctors is mismatched with less than 200 available positions, even within the private sector. She called for internal discussions within the Ministry to address this disparity and ensure efficient utilization of resources.
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Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, who also attended the conference, detailed the government’s efforts in strengthening primary healthcare services and district-level facilities. Over the past three years, the government has employed and deployed 30,000 healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses, and midwives, particularly in rural areas. This initiative aims to enhance healthcare accessibility across the country.
The conference, attended by over 800 participants from within and outside Tanzania, served as a platform to discuss the challenges and achievements in the health sector. Dr. Ellen Mkondya-Senkoro, CEO of the Benjamin Mkapa Foundation, reported that the foundation has provided jobs to over 13,000 individuals and reached more than 32 million citizens through its healthcare services.
Minister Ummy urged collaboration between health experts and the government to develop sustainable solutions for the workforce challenge, ensuring that human resources are effectively utilized to improve healthcare services nationwide.
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