Tanzania Health Summit 2024

Good morning,

Asalaam Aleikhum!

It is my great honor to join you today at the Tanzania Health Summit 2024, a pivotal forum where we unite to address one of Tanzania’s most important issues: ensuring access to quality healthcare through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).

This year’s theme, "Igniting Progress: Joining Efforts for Quality Healthcare Through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)," could not be more timely. Tanzania stands at a critical crossroads, and the synergy between the public and private sectors is essential for building a resilient, inclusive healthcare system that serves all Tanzanians.

Honorable Guests, Colleagues, and Partners

Over the past decade, Tanzania has made significant strides in healthcare outcomes. Life expectancy has risen from 61 years in 2010 to 66 years in 2022—a testament to the country’s hard-earned progress. However, despite these achievements, considerable challenges remain in ensuring equitable access to healthcare across the nation, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

Maternal health has significantly improved, with maternal mortality dropping from 556 to 104 deaths per 100,000 live births between the years 2015/2016 and 2022. However, further efforts are needed to meet the Sustainable Development Goal 3 target of fewer than 70 deaths per 100,000. Prioritizing healthcare investments, especially in rural areas, and leveraging PPPs can help bridge the remaining gaps.

Additionally, Tanzania has made impressive progress in reducing the under-five mortality rate, which now stands at 43 deaths per 1,000 live births, down from 112 per 1,000 in year 2004/2005. While these numbers are encouraging, there remains potential for further improvement, particularly in neonatal care. By embracing innovative healthcare solutions and sustained investments, especially through PPPs, Tanzania can continue to build on this success and address remaining challenges.

Honorable Guests, Colleagues, and Partners

One of Tanzania’s major hurdles is access to healthcare in rural areas, with only 40% of facilities having essential supplies. PPPs can enhance healthcare infrastructure. Through collaboration on Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and innovative financing models like insurance schemes and pooled funds, PPPs can expand affordable healthcare to marginalized and remote communities. These partnerships have the potential to significantly strengthen health systems and ensure quality healthcare for all Tanzanians.

urgent need to enhance healthcare infrastructure through public-private collaboration.

Another key area ripe for partnership is the Health Basket Fund. By joining forces with the private sector, this initiative can drive sustainable change, scaling innovative solutions and improving healthcare access across the nation, ensuring even the most remote communities benefit from improved services.

Honorable Guests, Colleagues, and Partners

The Tanzania Health Summit provides an ideal platform for us to explore how we can leverage partnerships to tackle these challenges. Over the next few days, we have a unique opportunity to shape actionable strategies that will drive investments in health infrastructure, strengthen the training of healthcare workers, and foster the development of innovative technologies that improve healthcare delivery across Tanzania.

Our task at his Summit is not merely to discuss these challenges, but to find solutions. With 1,500 experts gathered here from government, the private sector, civil society, and academia, this is a rare opportunity to build new partnerships that can truly transform Tanzania’s healthcare system. The decisions we make today will lay the foundation for a healthier, more equitable future for all.

By combining the strengths of the public and private sectors, we can ensure that Tanzania’s healthcare system is not only resilient but also capable of meeting the needs of all its citizens, particularly those who are most vulnerable.

Before I conclude, I would like to highlight that access to information and services for sexual and reproductive health is an important human right. It plays a vital role in saving lives, fostering development, and supporting gender equality, all of which contribute to sustainable development.

The United Nations remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting and promoting sexual and reproductive health rights for all, including people with disabilities, those living with HIV, and indigenous communities. We advocate for voluntary family planning, youth-friendly services, and addressing gender-based violence.

Honorable Guests, Colleagues, and Partners

In closing, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the organizers of the Tanzania Health Summit 2024 and all of you for your unwavering dedication to this critical cause. The road ahead may be challenging, but through the power of Public-Private Partnerships, we will succeed in building a healthier and more prosperous Tanzania.

Thank you. 

Asanteni sana!