Arusha summit puts Tanzania’s primary healthcare reforms in spotlight
Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (PO-RALG), Prof Riziki Shemdoe, speaks ahead of the second International Primary Health Care Conference (IPHCC) in Arusha. PHOTO | COURTESY
Alfred Zacharia is a business reporter for The Citizen and Mwananchi newspapers.
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Dodoma. More than 3,000 health-sector stakeholders from Tanzania and abroad are expected in Arusha this week for a major conference focused on strengthening primary healthcare.
The second International Primary Healthcare Conference (IPHCC) will take place from September 9 to 11, 2026, at the Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC).
The meeting offers Tanzania an opportunity to showcase its primary healthcare reforms while learning from global best practices.
Speaking on Sunday, September 6, 2026, the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office responsible for Regional Administration and Local Government (PMO-RALG, Prof Riziki Shemdoe, said Tanzania would highlight key measures implemented to improve grassroots health delivery, including targeted interventions to curb maternal and child mortality.
He noted that the conference would enable participating nations to assess current strategies, identify existing gaps, and scale up effective health interventions.
"The conference will provide an opportunity to exchange experiences on improvements in primary healthcare taking place around the world and develop joint strategies to achieve national and global health goals," said Prof Shemdoe.
Discussions will centre on expanding access to care and advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC), alongside aligning primary health systems with broader international development targets.
For Tanzania, the conference aligns with ongoing state efforts to enhance health service quality and accessibility at the community level.
Primary healthcare remains critical as the first point of contact between citizens and the national health framework.
Infrastructure or personnel deficiencies at this level risk delaying crucial treatments and overcrowding referral facilities.
The three-day gathering will bring together health professionals, policymakers, development partners, researchers, academics, students, civil society organisations and private sector representatives.
Prof Shemdoe confirmed his participation in the summit and welcomed international delegates to Arusha.
