The Benjamin Mkapa Foundation (BMF) has significantly impacted Tanzania’s health sector, reaching 32 million people and creating 13,000 healthcare jobs over 18 years. This remarkable achievement was highlighted by Dr. Ellen Senkoro, BMF’s Chief Executive Officer, at the National Human Resources for Health (HRH) Conference in Dar es Salaam.
The conference marked the legacy of the late former president Benjamin Mkapa while celebrating the foundation’s extensive work.
Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa launched the foundation’s strategic business plan during the conference. He observed that the BMF has played a crucial role in transforming the country’s health sector. The theme of this year’s conference, “Health Workforce: A Cornerstone to Resilient and Sustainable Development Agenda,” underscores the importance of human resources in driving the government’s transformative process toward a resilient health system for sustainable development.
The HRH Conference brought together a diverse group of stakeholders from Tanzania, neighboring countries, and across the globe. These stakeholders included government officials, healthcare leaders, non-state actors, and change-makers. The primary aim was to share best practices, influence policy, and develop innovative approaches to enhance the quality of healthcare. The focus was not only on Tanzania but also on the entire region, emphasizing the need for a resilient health system for sustainable development.
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Dr. Senkoro noted that the foundation, with the support of donor agencies and the government, has been instrumental in addressing the critical shortage of skilled health professionals in Tanzania. This shortage poses a significant challenge to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) goals. The conference provided a platform for healthcare professionals to voice their concerns and for solutions to be directly addressed. The emphasis was on policy influence, public-private partnerships, knowledge sharing, and the integration of technology in workforce development.
The conference highlighted several key areas for the future of Tanzania’s health sector. These included strategies for increased domestic financing, job creation, improved performance management of health workers, and aligning human resources for health (HRH) with global health security and climate change initiatives. By addressing these issues, Tanzania aims to redefine its global development targets under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the upcoming National Development Vision 2050.
One of the critical discussions at the conference was the global shortage of healthcare workers and its impact on healthcare access. Tanzania is no exception to this crisis, and efforts to address it are crucial for the nation’s health sector. The HRH Conference stressed the importance of collaboration among stakeholders to develop multi-sectoral public-private solutions that can help bridge the healthcare workforce gap.
The role of technology, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), in healthcare workforce development was another focal point of the conference. Technological advancements are expected to play a significant role in shaping the future of healthcare in Tanzania. By leveraging technology, the health sector can improve efficiency, enhance the quality of care, and better manage health resources.
BMF’s efforts over the past 18 years have been pivotal in transforming Tanzania’s healthcare landscape. The foundation’s initiatives have not only addressed immediate healthcare challenges but have also laid a strong foundation for sustainable development. By focusing on human resources for health, BMF has contributed significantly to building a resilient health system that can withstand future challenges.
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