Africa-Press – Tanzania. TANZANIA has secured 55.9 million US dollars (approximately 161.3bn/-) for the Health Basket Fund from development partners to support the enhancement of the health sector, including the delivery of primary health care and the strengthening of health systems.
The fund will cater for the 2025/26 financial year, representing an increase of about 20 per cent from the 44.3 million US dollars disbursed in the 2022/23 fiscal year.
Speaking yesterday during the signing ceremony of the annual side agreement for the Health Basket Fund (HBF) for Fiscal Year 2025/26 Minister for Health, Jenista Mhagama said the fund has enabled the government to implement a number of reforms.
In the agreement, development partners have pledged a total of USD 55.9 million (approximately 161.3 bn/-) for the current Fiscal Year (2025/2026) to contribute to the implementation of the central, regional and health facilities’ plans.
The funds will cover costs related to procurement of medicines, medical equipment and supplies and enhance the delivery of quality primary health care services nationwide to the Tanzanian population.
“The Health Basket Fund has supported the government in introducing reforms through the implementation of decentralisation by devolution and spearheading innovations such as Direct Health Facility Financing, where funds are disbursed directly to over 7,300 primary health care facilities in our country based on agreed performance targets, which are achieved and fied by the Internal Auditor General,” said Ms Mhagama.
She reiterated the government’s commitment to the proper utilisation of the funds secured through the Health Basket Fund, stressing that the support will continue to play a key role in advancing the health sector, including the implementation of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The minister noted that the achievements made so far would not have been possible without strong partnerships, collaboration and mutual respect among stakeholders.
She commended the development partners for their continued commitment to the funding mechanism since its inception in 1999.
On his part, Deputy Minister in the President’s Office, Regional Administration and Local Government (PORALG), responsible for health, Dr Festo Dugange, said the signing of the MoU marks the continuation of the longstanding partnership between the government and the development partners who support the fund.
He said the support has significantly strengthened health systems at the grassroots level, particularly in enhancing service delivery.
Dr Dugange further noted that the fund has played a major role in improving essential health services, particularly maternal and child health, which earned President Samia Suluhu Hassan global recognition through the Global Goalkeepers Award for her efforts in reducing maternal mortality.
Dr Dugange said the fund has also played a key role in providing incentives to healthcare workers, especially those in rural areas, which has motivated them to continue delivering quality services.
On her part the Health Basket Fund Chairperson who is also the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) Country Representative Elkr Wisch, said the fund has served as the model for joint financing and joint support to government health priorities including strengthening health systems in the country, ensuring all health facilities deliver equitable and quality health care.
She commended the government for clear health priorities set in the 2025/2026 financial year, pledging their continued support in areas like expanding access to quality and equitable services at all levels, advancing financing reforms including the implementation of the Universal Health Insurance Law and strengthening reproductive maternal new born child.
She highlighted the significant progress made in the health sector, noting that it has reinforced the existing commitments from contributors.
“We commend the government efforts in health systems strengthening which will be a critical contributor to achieving the ambitious National Development Vision 2050,” said Ms Wisch.
To enhance service delivery efficiency and reduce costs, she emphasised the importance of continued integration across key systems— such as supply chains, health information systems and service delivery—to maximise impact.
The Health Basket Fund is a collaboration between the Government of Tanzania and the nine Development Partners – Canada, Denmark, Ireland, Korea, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, World Bank, UNFPA and UNICEF.
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