ARUSHA: THE government has partnered with the East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC) to expand access to specialised medical and surgical services, enabling hundreds of low income Tanzanians to receive life-changing treatment they would otherwise struggle to afford.
The partnership was reinforced on Monday during the official handover of medical equipment and supplies for the 2026 Specialised Medical and Surgical Camp in Arusha, organised by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with ECSA-HC.
Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Mr Emmanuel Tayari, said the equipment symbolises hope for thousands of Tanzanians who have long struggled to access specialised healthcare.
He said the initiative reflects a shared commitment to bringing specialised and super-specialised healthcare closer to communities while supporting the government’s drive to achieve Universal Health Coverage under President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
“Our government is committed to building a health system that reaches farther, serves faster and leaves no citizen behind. This vision becomes even stronger through partnerships such as the one we are witnessing today,” he said.
Mr Tayari commended ECSA-HC for promoting regional cooperation in healthcare and urged health institutions to use the donated equipment efficiently to improve people’s lives.
He added that the outreach camps not only provide treatment but also strengthen the skills of healthcare professionals through hands-on experience. ECSA-HC Director General, Dr Ntuli Kapologwe, said the organisation has contributed 265m/- to the 2026 specialised medical and surgical camp.
ALSO READ: Specialist care grows as lifestyle diseases increase
Of the total, 170m/- will facilitate specialist and super-specialist doctors, while 94.6m/- will cover the cost of medical equipment and supplies.
He said about 300 patients requiring specialist and super-specialist surgery will be treated at Mount Meru Regional Referral Hospital in Arusha, while another 200 patients will receive treatment at Mtwara Regional Referral Hospital.
“This is not a one-day initiative. We will continue organising similar outreach camps in different parts of the country to ensure more people access specialist healthcare without travelling long distances or incurring high treatment costs,” he said.
Dr Kapologwe said similar outreach camps have been conducted in Lesotho and Uganda, while the programme is currently underway in Tanzania and Malawi.
Mauritius, Kenya and Zimbabwe are expected to join the initiative. Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute (MOI) Executive Director, Dr Mpoki Ulisubisya described the camp as the beginning of a new chapter in strengthening specialised healthcare services across the region through long-term collaboration among governments, development partners and healthcare professionals.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health’s Director of Curative Services, Dr Hamad Nyembea, said Mount Meru Regional Referral Hospital is expected to offer 17 specialist and super-specialist services but currently provides thirteen.
He added that 120 patients referred from the recently concluded medical camp at Sheikh Amri Abeid Stadium will receive specialised treatment during the ongoing outreach camp at the hospital.
ECSA-HC Director of Programmes, Dr More Mungati, said the initiative demonstrates the region’s commitment to improving the health, dignity and well-being of communities, particularly those with limited acce