Tanzania Directs 9,483 New Health Workers to Rural Areas Amidst Staffing Shortages
The Tanzanian Ministry of Health has announced that 9,483 new health workers will be deployed to rural areas of the country to address severe shortages. This move aims to improve health services in underserved regions.
Health Minister Ummy Mwalimu revealed that the shortage of health professionals in rural areas exceeds 50%, impacting the quality of health services at health centers and some district hospitals. The government hopes that the new hires will help alleviate this issue.
To ensure that the new health workers remain in these areas, the government is planning to improve living conditions by providing essential services such as schools, electricity, and clean water. This initiative was discussed during the opening of the Benjamini Mkapa Memorial Conference at the Julius Nyerere International Conference Center in Dar es Salaam.
Minister Mwalimu stated, “We face a challenge where we have built many health facilities, but the main issue remains at the lower levels such as dispensaries and health centers. While we receive annual approvals for hiring staff, many of those recruited prefer to stay in cities like Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, and Arusha.”
She added, “I have discussed with Minister Mohamed Mchengerwa that health workers should be assigned to places like Uvinza, which has a severe shortage. We encourage health professionals to consider working in these areas.”
Mwalimu reassured potential recruits that essential community services will be available in these rural areas, including electricity, roads, water, and new English-medium schools for their children.
Dr. Samwel Ogillo, the Executive Director of the Association of Health Service Providers in Tanzania (Aphtha), highlighted that there are currently over 5,000 unemployed doctors. Many applicants struggle to find jobs, and some offer their services for free.
Ogillo said, “If they are hired, they will go. The problem arises when they start planning to move once they join. We need to create good working conditions to ensure they stay. Many young professionals are willing to work in these areas if their conditions are improved.”
Lucy Madaba, a midwife from the Association of Midwives Tanzania (Tama), noted that midwives in rural areas are often overwhelmed. She explained that while one midwife should ideally assist eight pregnant women, they often manage 15 to 20 alone.
Madaba urged the government to focus on hiring more midwives to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates. She emphasized the need for better support in rural areas to improve the efficiency of healthcare services.
Regarding the conference, Minister Mwalimu mentioned that it will address issues related to health workforce development, the quality of healthcare professionals, and strategies to ensure that staff remain in their assigned locations.
Mwalimu also praised the late President Benjamin Mkapa for his efforts to improve healthcare in Tanzania, including the establishment of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) in 2000. The NHIF has become a major source of funding for health services.
The conference, which gathers various health sector stakeholders, will be officially opened on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, by Tanzanian Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa. Mkapa passed away on July 24, 2020, and was buried in Lupaso, Masasi District, Mtwara Region.
Mwalimu noted that the conference aims to gather feedback from health sector stakeholders, including the private sector, to develop the Sixth National Health Sector Strategic Plan for 2026/2031, aligning with the National Vision 2050.
Dr. Hellen Mkondya, the Executive Director of the Mkapa Foundation, emphasized the importance of human resources in achieving universal health coverage.
During a discussion on health insurance, Tanzanian Ambassador to Indonesia, Makocha Tembele, shared Indonesia’s success in providing health insurance. Despite having a population of 270 million, Indonesia has managed to provide insurance to 210 million people since 2014, achieving 81% coverage.
Tembele highlighted Indonesia’s integration of health services with technology, allowing people to consult doctors remotely and receive prescriptions delivered to their homes, thus reducing the need to visit health centers.
