Tanzania Accelerates Universal Health Coverage Goals at 25th Annual Health Sector Technical Review Meeting
The 25th Joint Annual Health Sector Technical Review Meeting (JAHS-TRM) convened on March 17-18, 2026, in Dodoma, Tanzania. This significant gathering brought together government officials, development partners, non-state actors, and private sector representatives to evaluate the health sector’s performance in 2025 and outline priorities for the 2026/27 financial year. The meeting’s theme, “Accelerating achievement of Universal Health Coverage through Transformative Leadership, Accountability and Digital Innovation in Ensuring a Healthy Society,” underscores the critical intersection of health policy and technological advancement.
Commitment to Universal Health Insurance
Prof. Tumaini Nagu, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Health in the Prime Minister’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (PMORALG), chaired the meeting and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding access to essential health services through the national rollout of Universal Health Insurance (UHI). She highlighted significant progress in infrastructure development, enhanced local governance, and rapid digital transformation, noting that 97.8% of public health facilities have installed the Government Health Management Information System (GoTHOMIS).
However, Prof. Nagu also pointed out several challenges, including shortages of Human Resources for Health (HRH), constraints on medical commodities, and the necessity for improved preparedness for emerging diseases. She emphasized the need for better coordination among stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of policy priorities.
Evidence-Based Decision-Making
Dr. Alex Magesa, Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, stressed the importance of evidence-based decision-making to foster accountability and measurable improvements in health outcomes. He reported gains in specialized health services, improved sector reporting, increased utilization of Primary Health Care (PHC), and reductions in maternal mortality rates. Nonetheless, he identified persistent HRH shortages, a rise in Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), and the urgent need to fully integrate digital systems to enhance operational efficiency and data utilization.
The Development Partners Group for Health, represented by Chairperson Ms. Melissa McNeil-Barret, reiterated their commitment to supporting government initiatives, including the UHI rollout and the development of the Health Sector Transformation Plan (HSTP 2026–2031). They emphasized the importance of coordinated multisectoral engagement and improved interoperability of digital health systems.
Challenges in Service Delivery
Dr. Anthony Mwendamaka, representing Non-State Actors in Health, acknowledged improvements in health information systems and the availability of medicines. However, he noted that HRH shortages at the PHC level, fragmented digital platforms, and inconsistent financing for community health workers continue to impede effective service delivery. Non-State Actors reaffirmed their commitment to community-based monitoring, UHI enrollment mobilization, and supporting behavior change initiatives.
Private sector and faith-based representatives, including APHTA, BAKWATA, and CSSC, represented by Dr. Samwel Ogillo, commended the government’s recognition of their role in health service delivery. They observed an increased demand for services linked to expanding insurance coverage and stressed that investments in HRH and infrastructure must align with sector growth. They expressed readiness to contribute to the development of the HSTP and advocated for strengthening local manufacturing and expanding specialized training for critical health roles, such as anesthesia providers.
Digital Transformation and Health System Performance
Dr. Alex Gasasira, WHO Representative in Tanzania, praised the improved performance of Tanzania’s health system, citing positive trends in immunization, reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health (RMNCAH), disease surveillance, and digital transformation. He emphasized the importance of maintaining PHC as the foundation of the health system, enhancing accountability through better data use, and leveraging digital innovation to support equitable and efficient service delivery.
Stakeholders reviewed evidence from major sector reports, including the Annual Health Sector Performance Profile, National Health Accounts, Public Expenditure Review, Mid-Term Review of the Health Basket Fund, and the Joint Field Visits Report. The synthesis of these reports highlighted common challenges, such as rising NCD prevalence, HRH gaps, systemic fragmentation, declining external financing, and the need to increase sustainable domestic health financing.
Policy Recommendations and Future Directions
Based on their analysis, participants developed priority policy recommendations for FY 2026/27 aligned with WHO’s six health system building blocks: service delivery; quality of care and infrastructure; health workforce; medicines, medical devices and medical technology; health financing and social protection; and health information systems and governance. They also identified priority policy issues for inclusion in the forthcoming five-year HSTP (2026–2031), aligned with Vision 2050.
The meeting concluded with reflections on shared responsibility for sector performance. The private sector called for timely integration into the UHI framework, while development partners stressed the need to strengthen the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) to maximize efficiency and value for money. The Ministry of Health noted that accountability is essential for maintaining trust and ensuring effective implementation. Prof. Nagu reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening governance across all levels, improving information systems for better planning, and increasing budget allocations from local to national levels.
The Policy Recommendations will be reviewed and approved as Policy Commitments for FY 2026/27 at the Joint Annual Health Sector Policy Meeting later in March 2026, co-chaired by the Ministers of Health and PMORALG. WHO, serving as Secretariat to the Government and the Development Partners Group for Health, will continue to provide technical support and coordination to ensure effective planning, alignment, and execution of the Joint Annual Health Sector Review process.
According to publicly available www.zawya.com reporting.
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