DAR ES SALAAM: Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) are increasingly being viewed as a critical pathway for transforming Tanzania’s healthcare sector, with experts arguing that stronger collaboration between government and private investors is essential to meet growing demand for quality medical services and reduce pressure on public resources.
The call was made during a stakeholders’ forum held in Dar es Salaam that brought together government officials, healthcare professionals and investors to discuss opportunities for expanding PPPs in the health sector.
Speaking at the meeting, Public Private Partnership Centre (PPPC) Director General David Kafulila said Tanzania has made significant progress in strengthening healthcare services, including investments that now allow some specialised treatments previously sought abroad to be offered locally.
Despite these gains, he said rising demand for healthcare services, driven by population growth, increasing life expectancy and changing disease patterns, means the government cannot finance all healthcare needs through taxes and borrowing alone.
“Our economy is growing and the demand for healthcare services continues to rise. The Government’s capacity to finance all these services through taxes and loans has limits,” Mr Kafulila said.
“This is where the private sector becomes crucial, not only in sustaining services but also in bringing innovation, technology and expertise that can improve healthcare delivery,” he added.
Mr Kafulila said PPPs offer an opportunity to mobilise additional resources for healthcare infrastructure, medical equipment and management systems while ensuring citizens continue receiving quality services.
He explained that different partnership models can be applied depending on the needs of a specific facility or project.
Under the greenfield model, private investors finance, build and operate entirely new healthcare facilities through agreements with the government. The brownfield approach, meanwhile, involves upgrading existing public hospitals through investments in medical equipment, technology and infrastructure improvements.
Mr Kafulila also highlighted management-based partnerships, where private sector players contribute specialised expertise and operational skills to improve efficiency and service delivery in public health institutions.
“Knowledge itself is a form of investment. Around the world, governments engage experts because of the value they bring through management and innovation. Effective leadership can transform institutions even where infrastructure already exists,” he said.
He challenged healthcare professionals and investors to identify practical areas where PPPs can complement government efforts, particularly in specialised treatment, diagnostics, medical equipment supply and healthcare innovation.
According to him, strategic partnerships could improve healthcare delivery not only at national referral hospitals but also at regional, district and community health facilities.
Drawing from international experience, Mr Kafulila cited countries such as India, where PPP arrangements have helped expand access to healthcare services and improve efficiency.
He urged stakeholders to focus on practical proposals that could be implemented immediately while legal and policy frameworks continue to be strengthened.
“We need practical solutions that can become pilot projects and demonstrate the benefits of partnerships. These examples can help build confidence and encourage wider adoption of PPPs in the health sector,” he said.
President of the Medical Association of Tanzania (MAT), Dr Mugisha Nkoronko, also stressed the importance of partnerships, saying healthcare stakeholders should identify areas where private investors can introduce innovation and improve underperforming services.
He encouraged healthcare professionals and investors to study successful international models that could be adapted to Tanzania’s healthcare system.
“The discussion should focus on identifying specific gaps and practical solutions. We need to ask ourselves what the private sector can do better, what innovations it can bring and how partnerships can strengthen healthcare services at all levels,” Dr Nkoronko said.
He further emphasised the need to strengthen referral systems, expand specialised treatment and equip district hospitals and health centres with modern medical technologies through collaborative investments.
Dr Mahmood Mringo, Vice Chairman of the Association of Private Health Facilities in Tanzania (APHFTA), said PPPs should not simply be viewed as financial arrangements but as a broader mechanism for mobilising resources, expertise and innovation to improve public welfare.
He said healthcare and education remain fundamental public services that require sustainable financing and long-term collaboration to meet growing demand.
“Healthcare requires resources, expertise and efficient systems. Partnerships allow us to combine public responsibility with private sector innovation and investment to deliver better outcomes for citizens,” Dr Mringo said.
Stakeholders at the forum agreed that PPPs offer a viable pathway for strengthening Tanzania’s healthcare system by mobilising investment, improving service quality and expanding access to specialised healthcare services.
They said achieving the country’s long-term development goals will require stronger collaboration among government institutions, healthcare professionals, investors and development partners.