Tanzania’s global health ambitions in focus as MUHAS hosts 5th convocation symposium
What you need to know:
- The event was officiated by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, who commended MUHAS for its contribution to medical education, public health, and research in Tanzania and the region.
Dar es Salaam. The Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) convened its 5th Convocation Symposium under the theme "Advancing Global Health through International Diplomacy", bringing together senior diplomats, academics, and policymakers to deliberate on the intersection of health and foreign policy.
The event was officiated by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, who commended MUHAS for its contribution to medical education, public health, and research in Tanzania and the region.
Ambassador Kombo emphasised the vital role of international diplomacy in addressing global health threats, noting that the COVID-19 pandemic had underscored the importance of solidarity and coordinated action.
“Global health challenges demand solidarity, shared responsibility, and coordinated action. The pandemic showed us that an effective response must be a global one,” said Ambassador Kombo.
He further underlined that health remains a strategic pillar in Tanzania’s foreign policy and economic diplomacy agenda. He praised MUHAS for strengthening the country’s health system and enhancing Tanzania’s visibility in global health forums through the training of highly skilled health professionals.
“We recognise the critical role that MUHAS plays in shaping health policy and training experts who contribute beyond our borders,” he said. “Our Ministry is fully committed to supporting the university’s efforts to enhance Tanzania’s influence in global health.”
In his address, the Vice Chancellor of MUHAS, Professor Appolinary Kamuhabwa, underscored the necessity of training health professionals who are not only technically competent but also skilled in diplomacy and international negotiations.
“Health diplomacy is no longer optional – it is a necessity in our interconnected world. We must train professionals who can navigate both clinical practice and global policy-making,” said Prof. Kamuhabwa.
He reaffirmed MUHAS’s commitment to nurturing a new generation of global health leaders equipped with both scientific expertise and diplomatic insight.
The symposium drew participation from 18 ambassadors, including representatives from the Royal Danish Embassy, the Embassy of the Federative Republic of Brazil, the Embassy of the United States of America, the Embassy of the State of Qatar, the High Commission of the Republic of Uganda, the High Commission of the Republic of Malawi, the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia, the Embassy of the Republic of the Sudan, the High Commission of the Republic of South Africa, the High Commission of the Republic of Namibia, the British High Commission, the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco, the Embassy of the People's Republic of China, the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey, the High Commission of the Republic of Zambia, the Embassy of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic, and Ambassador Liberata Mulamula.
Also in attendance were a host of local and international researchers, students, and decision-makers from institutions such as CCBRT, CDC, UNFPA, MSD, MOI, MNH, and Deloitte.
The event served as a platform for robust dialogue on the future of global health cooperation, with emphasis on Tanzania’s positioning as a regional hub for health education and diplomacy.
It was organised by the university’s Internationalisation and Convocation Unit and marks another milestone in MUHAS’s growing international profile as it continues to attract students and collaborators from across Africa and beyond.
