MWE Correspondent
Tanzania has ramped up domestic financing and strengthened district-led delivery for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) following the sudden withdrawal of international donor support in early 2025.
The shift represents a decisive move toward national ownership of disease control initiatives and underscores the resilience of the country’s health system.
According to Dr Clarer Mwansasu, Tanzania’s NTD Programme Manager, 130 district councils are now independently conducting mass drug administration (MDA) campaigns, with a nationwide effort underway to raise council-level domestic financing to 80 percent by 2026. She described the abrupt loss of external funding as a pivotal moment that strengthened accountability and local responsibility across the health system.
“The sudden change in the funding landscape was a wake-up call,” Dr Mwansasu said. “It showed how effective domestic efforts can be, especially in challenging moments. We’ve learned that relying solely on external aid is risky, but building local capacity ensures continuity of care for vulnerable communities.”
Tanzania has a high burden of NTDs, including schistosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis, trachoma, and soil-transmitted helminth infections, which affect millions, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Preventive chemotherapy through MDA is central to controlling these diseases, reducing long-term disabilities, and improving overall community health.
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Officials highlighted that the district-led approach allows local councils to tailor interventions to specific community needs. Councils are now responsible for planning, budgeting, and executing NTD programs, integrating them into routine health services, and ensuring accountability for resource use. This model not only improves service delivery but also strengthens local governance in health care.
Health experts note that Tanzania’s move reflects a growing global trend: as international aid fluctuates, countries are increasingly relying on domestic resource mobilization to sustain health programs. By embedding NTD interventions into local health systems and funding structures, Tanzania aims to ensure long-term program sustainability, safeguard vulnerable populations, and reduce reliance on external donors.
Despite the progress, authorities stress that sustaining these gains requires consistent government commitment and careful monitoring. Officials are calling for transparency, data-driven planning, and community engagement to maximize the impact of available resources, while also building public trust in local health programs.
As Tanzania moves toward 2026, the country’s experience offers a model for other nations facing reductions in international aid. By prioritizing local financing, district ownership, and accountability, the government is demonstrating that resilient health systems can continue to protect populations even amid funding uncertainties.
