Joseph Isangura
Tanzania has been awarded the WSIS Prizes 2025 in the e-Health category, a prestigious recognition of the country’s bold strides in digital health innovation through the Kadi ya Matibabu project.
The award was conferred during the ongoing World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS+20) forum in Geneva, hosted by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and its partners.
The groundbreaking Kadi ya Matibabu, which translates to “Health Card”, is a digital platform that links every citizen’s National ID to their electronic health records, enabling access to real-time medical information across public hospitals and clinics in Zanzibar.
This innovation has already reached 93% of the population, positioning Tanzania as a regional leader in digital public health transformation.
The award was received by Mr Nassor Mazrui, Zanzibar’s Minister of Health, on behalf of the PharmAccess Foundation and the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar. Also present was Mr Jerry Silaa, Tanzania’s Minister for Communication and Information Technology, representing President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
“This award is a symbol of what we can achieve when technology meets political will,” said Mr Mazrui in Geneva. “It reflects our commitment to inclusive, high-quality healthcare.”
Kadi ya Matibabu enables healthcare providers to instantly retrieve a patient’s medical history—immunizations, lab results, prescriptions, and diagnoses—regardless of where they were treated last. This replaces cumbersome paper files and enhances care continuity.
The system is also fully aligned with Tanzania’s broader Digital Economy Framework and health goals under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3), which aim to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Additionally, the platform offers tools for data-driven policymaking, outbreak surveillance, and health resource management—key capabilities in a post-COVID-19 era.
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Health officials from Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda have visited Zanzibar to study the system, with discussions underway to harmonize data frameworks under the East African Community (EAC).
Plans are also in motion to roll out the programme across mainland Tanzania, starting with pilot areas in Dar es Salaam, Mbeya, and Arusha.
“This digital leap proves that even developing nations can lead in tech-driven health innovation,” noted Mr Silaa.
- High Coverage: 93% population inclusion within 2 years
- Real-time Access: Secure, cloud-based data for clinicians
- Integrated Platform: Linked to NIDA, hospital systems, and digital payment platforms
- Efficiency Boost: Reduced hospital wait times and improved diagnostics
- Equity: Enables access to remote patients through mobile registration
At WSIS+20, which marks two decades since the first WSIS meeting in 2003, Tanzania was among a small group of nations recognized for practical, high-impact digital solutions. The summit also covered breakthroughs in AI in healthcare, digital literacy, and e-governance.
Other countries awarded in different categories included Vietnam, Colombia, and Estonia—countries also known for leveraging tech to deliver essential services.
