Aga Khan University (AKU) recently hosted a high-level delegation from the Ministry of Health, Tanzania, led by Dr Grace Magembe, Chief Medical Officer. The visit to AKU's Pakistan campus underscored a shared commitment to advancing health and education in Tanzania through strategic collaboration.
Dr Magembe met with AKU leadership, including President Sulaiman Shahabuddin and Regional CEO of Aga Khan Health Services, East Africa, Zeenat Sulaiman. Discussions focused on strengthening health systems, expanding specialized training, and leveraging technology to enhance healthcare access across Tanzania.
“With Tanzania, AKDN has a rich history that goes way back, almost 100 years," said Dr Sulaiman Shahabuddin, President of AKU. “Looking ahead, AKU and AKDN are exploring opportunities to further contribute to the country's social, cultural, and economic development."
Dr Magembe emphasized the Tanzanian government's vision for healthcare, stating, "Health is a human right – and technology can help us reach the most people." She also appreciated the long-standing contribution of the AKDN to the social and economic development of Tanzania.
The Tanzanian delegation included Dr Saitore Laizer, Director of Human Resource Development (Training and Development); Ms Esther Elisamia Msechu, Senior ICT Officer; and Mr Simon Ernest, Personal Assistant to the CMO. Representatives from AKU Tanzania's Medical College, Professor Paschal Ruggajo, Associate Dean, and Dr. Samina Somji, Director of Postgraduate Medical Education, as well as Mr Sisawo Konteh, CEO of Aga Khan Health Services, Dar es Salaam, were also part of the discussions.
During the visit, the two sides agreed to collaborate in the following areas:
- Health and Education as Key Priorities: Strengthening health-related education and training at both university and middle-cadre professional levels to build Tanzania's health workforce.
- Focus on Primary Health Care: With approximately 70% of the Tanzanian population residing in rural areas and relying on primary healthcare, there's a strong need to equip graduates with skills to effectively serve these communities.
- Health System Strengthening and Technology Integration: Integration of technology into health systems, including telemedicine and e-learning, to expand access to services and improve training capacity.
- Specialized Training and Capacity Building: There is a strong demand for support in specialized and super-specialized healthcare training to build capacity in advanced care.
Both sides expressed eagerness to work closely to translate these plans into reality.
