DAR ES SALAAM: HEALTH experts have discussed new strategies on how to improve health services to achieve the 2050 vision to ensure that every citizen receives treatment without hindrance.
The strategies involved comprehensive reforms in the health sector, involving infrastructure, technology, medical education, quality of services, universal health insurance as well as citizen participation in protecting themselves against diseases.
Speaking at the opening of the National Medical Conference in Dar es Salaam, the President of the Tanzania Medical Association (MAT), Dr Mugisha Nkoronko said the annual conference has come at a crucial time when Tanzania has completed the implementation of the National Development Vision 2025 and is now embarking on the journey of implementing the National Vision 2050.
He said the theme of the conference “Health Services We Want in 2050,” aims to provide expert input on how the health sector can help the nation achieve the development goals set in the new vision.
Dr Nkoronko said that over the past 25 years, Tanzania has made great strides in the health sector due to investments made by the government and various development stakeholders.
“These achievements have been seen in the reduction of maternal and child mortality, the reduction of premature deaths, as well as the increase in the average life expectancy of Tanzanians from approximately 50 years in 2000 to an average of 60 years at present.
He explained that currently, women in the country have an average life expectancy of 66 years while men reach an average of 64 years, which shows the great achievements achieved over the past quarter century. However, he said that the National Vision 2050 aims to see Tanzanians live an average of 75 years, a goal that can not be achieved without further strengthening the country’s health system.
He also said that the vision also aims to build a one trillion US dollar economy with each Tanzanian expected to have an average income of 7,000 US dollars per year by 2050. According to him, these goals can not be achieved if the nation does not have healthy citizens and a strong health care delivery system health.
He said doctors and health professionals have agreed that the first thing that should be given priority is to continue investing in infrastructure to provide health services along with modern diagnostic and treatment equipment.
He said that by 2050, every district hospital should have modern equipment available in large hospitals so that citizens do not have to travel long distances to follow specialist services.
He stressed that when a doctor sees a patient, he should be able to conduct an accurate examination using modern equipment that is in line with the development of technology in the world.
“Our intention is to ensure that in 2050 when a doctor sees a patient, he should be sure of what he is treating because the examination equipment will be modern, accurate and meet the needs of the time,” he said.
The Official Guest at this Conference, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health representing the Minister of Health, Mohammed Mchengerwa, said the government has made significant investments in infrastructure, many people are receiving health services in various areas by continuing to invest in medical equipment, infrastructure and health equipment, where 90 percent of hospitals in the country have digital X-Ray and Ultrasound.
“And also the government is investing in specialist services and that is why the President has provided a fellowship (Samia Scholarship) to ensure that by 2050 Tanzanians will not be transported abroad to obtain services with this huge investment, which can reduce maternal mortality, the President received an award last year given by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Dr Shekalaghe said that when they go to the 2050 vision, health is number one and the government has started health insurance for all, we have already registered 272,000 households of indigent people whom the government pays directly.