Dar es Salaam : The World Health Organization (WHO) has signed a 2-year long memorandum of understanding (MoU) with eleven non-state actors to advance health services and accelerate the achievement of universal health coverage countrywide.

The 11 organizations include Dar es Salaam University College of Education (DUCE), the Catholic Relief Services, Doctors with Africa-CUAMM, Sikika and Mzumbe University, Tanzania Health Summit, African Medical Research Foundation (AMREF), Ifakara Health Institute (IHI), Raising-Up Friendship Foundation (RUFFO) and the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS).

Speaking at the signing, Dr Charles Sagoe-Moses’, the Country Representative at WHO indicated that, through these collaborative MOUs, WHO aim to foster a stronger partnership with non-state actors in Tanzania. He noted that these partnerships will enable Tanzania to leverage the expertise, resources, and networks of these organizations to address the health challenges faced by the country. 

“The signing of the MOU is today but the work starts now. By working together, I am confident that we can achieve greater impact and make significant strides towards improving the health and well-being of the Tanzanian population.”, he added.

The signing of the MoUs was remarkable in initiating a huge step in Tanzania, where the critical role of partnership to the overall health for all agenda cannot be overemphasized. Currently, there are a number of non-state actors supporting the health sector and this requires strong coordination to promote good governance-accountability and transparency of NGOs’ visibility and strengthen resource mobilization, resource mapping and resource tracking. 

In attendance were, Mr Ambele Mwakilango, the National Public Health Laboratory manager from the Ministry of Health, The Chair of the Development Partners Health group (DPG H), Mr Matthew Cogan and Rachel Chagonja, chairperson of the National Council of Non-Government Organizations (NaCONGO).

They collectively emphasized the critical role that NGOs play in delivering healthcare services. And further noted the relevance of this partnership as this leverages the expertise, resources, and networks of the organizations with a shared commitment to strengthening health systems and addressing the health challenges the country faces.

“We believe NSA-H who got this opportunity to sign an MOU with WHO will continue to align with Health Sector Priorities. I want to encourage our successful NSAs to reach our communities and collaborate with other NGOs as well to attain high impact in our health system.”, Mr Ambele Mwakilango, the National Public Health Laboratory manager.

The 11 NSAs expressed their gratitude to WHO for introducing this initiative and this collaboration and affirmed their utmost privilege to be part of the non-state actors’ group to advance health services in the community. 

For them, “this is not only a testament to their vision and passion to see the health for all agenda achieve but also leveraging this partnership will transform many lives, promote healthcare access and improve the overall well-being of the people in Tanzania, ”.  Prof. Apolinary Kamuhabwa MUHAS Vice-Chancellor.

The signing of the MOU with the 11 non-state actors was the final process following the expression of interest launched in December 2022 in National Newspapers. Out of 46 submissions, 11 were selected after a rigorous section process and the FENSA process for each of these NSAs was done as mandated by the World Health Assembly in 2016.