Tanzania sets 2026 health priorities to accelerate universal health coverage

TANZANIA — Government leaders, development partners, and health sector stakeholders gathered in Dodoma from March 17–18, 2026, for the 25th Joint Annual Health Sector Technical Review Meeting.

The participants reviewed health sector achievements from 2025 and set priorities for the 2026/27 financial year under the theme “Accelerating Achievement of Universal Health Coverage through Transformative Leadership, Accountability, and Digital Innovation in Ensuring a Healthy Society.”

Government commits to expanding health access

Prof. Tumaini Nagu, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Health in the Prime Minister’s Office for Regional Administration and Local Government, presided over the meeting and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding essential health services.

The national rollout of Universal Health Insurance now reaches more communities, while digital transformation accelerates with GoTHOMIS installation reaching 97.8% across public facilities.

However, Prof. Nagu acknowledged persistent challenges, including shortages of health workers, commodity constraints, and inadequate preparedness for emerging diseases.

Acting Permanent Secretary Dr. Alex Magesa emphasized evidence-based decision-making to drive accountability and measurable progress.

He highlighted improvements in specialized services, maternal mortality reduction, and increased primary health care utilization.

Nevertheless, he stressed that human resource shortages, rising non-communicable diseases, and incomplete digital system integration require urgent attention.

Partners Rally behind health transformation

Development partner representatives, led by Chairperson Melissa McNeil Barret, pledged continued support for government priorities, including the Universal Health Insurance rollout and the development of the Health Sector Transformation Plan (2026–2031).

They called for strengthened multisectoral coordination and improved interoperability across digital health platforms.

Dr. Anthony Mwendamaka, representing non-state health actors, recognized progress in health information systems and medicine availability but pointed to ongoing challenges.

Fragmented digital platforms, inconsistent financing for community health workers, and staffing gaps at primary care levels continue to hinder service delivery.

His organization committed to community-based monitoring, insurance enrollment mobilization, and behavior change initiatives.

Private-sector and faith-based representatives, including APHTA, BAKWATA, and CSSC, welcomed the government’s recognition of their contributions to service delivery.

Dr. Samwel Ogillo noted that expanding insurance coverage increases demand for services, requiring matched investments in workforce and infrastructure.

These stakeholders expressed their readiness to support the development of the Health Sector Transformation Plan and to strengthen local manufacturing capacity.

WHO Representative Dr. Alex Gasasira commended Tanzania’s health system improvements, citing positive trends in immunization, maternal and child health, disease surveillance, and digital transformation.

He urged stakeholders to maintain primary health care as the system’s foundation while leveraging digital innovation for equitable service delivery.

Setting the agenda forward

Participants reviewed critical sector reports and developed policy recommendations aligned with the WHO’s six health system building blocks for the fiscal year 2026/27.

The recommendations address service delivery, quality infrastructure, workforce development, medical technology, health financing, and information systems.

Ministers of Health and Regional Administration will review these recommendations at the Joint Annual Health Sector Policy Meeting later in March 2026, with WHO providing ongoing technical support and coordination.