THE United States has agreed to a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to disburse $3.1bn to strengthen health cooperation, where the Tanzanian government commits $1.8bn for the same programmes.
Health minister Mohamed Mchengerwa witnessed the signing along with Jeanne Clark, the chargé d'affaires ad interim at the US embassy in Dar es Salaam, in a partnership designed to shift the relationship from a traditional donor-recipient model to one based on joint investment and shared responsibility in advancing public health.
Officials said that the move marks a major step toward improving disease prevention, enhancing healthcare delivery and supporting Tanzania's transition to a locally led and sustainable health system.
The funding slated for the next five years will focus on strengthening disease surveillance, improving health systems and building long-term national capacity to respond to public health threats.
US officials said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to strengthening Tanzania's ability to detect and contain infectious diseases before they spread, as stronger national health systems contribute to regional and global health security.
The agreement forms part of a broader initiative under which the United States has entered into similar health partnerships with countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America to promote self-reliant and resilient health systems.
The MoU outlines five key areas of cooperation guiding implementation through 2030, for establishing and operationalizing the Tanzania National Public Health Institute at national and sub-national levels to enhance disease surveillance and outbreak response.
It will be geared to supporting the internationally recognized "7-1-7" framework that calls for disease detection within seven days, reporting within one day and an effective response within seven days.
Modernising laboratory networks to improve routine healthcare services and emergency preparedness, assuming greater responsibility for procuring essential medical commodities are also projected, financing more than 75 percent of supplies currently supported by US funding.
Frontline health workers funded through American-supported programmes will progressively be integrated into the country's public service to avoid disruption of healthcare services.
An integrated digital health system connecting clinical services, disease surveillance, medical supply chains, health insurance systems and other essential public health services will help to improve efficiency and service delivery, the pact specifies.
The agreement does not involve an immediate transfer of all US funded programmes as the transition will be implemented through joint planning and regular technical cooperation, nor does the partnership reduce existing US financial or technical support.
“It does not grant the United States access to confidential patient information, which remains protected under Tanzanian law,” the memorandum affirms.
Looking ahead, the agreement aims to position Tanzania as a regional centre for pharmaceutical manufacturing and health innovation within the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The partnership will support efforts to strengthen the Medical Stores Department, encourage greater private sector participation and promote local production of medical supplies thus creating skilled employment opportunities.
Technical teams from both countries are expected to begin work immediately on a detailed implementation framework to translate the commitments contained in the agreement into measurable programmes and outcomes over the next five years. the pact intoned.