Africa-Press – Tanzania. VICE-PRESIDENT Dr Philip Mpango has said the government is giving top priority to the health sector, with a strong focus on rolling out the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) scheme, calling on Regional and District Medical Officers (RMOs/DMOs) to play a leading role in realising the key national programme.
Addressing the annual meeting of Regional and Council Medical Officers held yesterday in Dodoma, Dr Mpango urged health officials to intensify efforts in promoting the UHC scheme and ensuring the delivery of quality health services at all levels.
He called on the medical officers to actively encourage citizens to enroll in the UHC scheme, while also ensuring the consistent availability of essential health services within their jurisdictions.
Themed “The Responsibility of Regional and Council Medical Officers in Enhancing the Quality of Health Services towards Implementation of Universal Health Coverage,” the meeting brought together health leaders from across the country.
Dr Mpango stressed the critical leadership role played by Council Medical Officers in transforming the health sector, urging them to demonstrate full accountability.
He further directed local government authorities to enhance revenue collection and ensure proper utilisation of resources to improve service delivery in line with UHC objectives.
Commenting on financial challenges, Dr Mpango said the government is continuously exploring strategies to increase resources to improve service delivery across the health sector.
He also stressed the need to intensify efforts in the prevention and control of both communicable and noncommunicable diseases. In this regard, he advocated for robust public health education and adherence to basic health standards, such as the construction of proper toilets in schools, health centres and public transport areas.
On delays in disbursements from the Health Basket Fund, the VP said that the government, in collaboration with development stakeholders, is reviewing the current processes to ensure the timely release of funds for effective health service delivery.
Dr Mpango further said that the government has procured ambulances, monitoring vehicles and modern medical equipment, including digital X-ray and ultrasound machines, to enhance efficiency in service provision.
He called on medical officers to ensure proper maintenance and management of the equipment to guarantee their sustainability.
Addressing the issue of record-keeping for medical supplies, Dr Mpango expressed concern over the current state, describing it as unsatisfactory.
He pointed out that many hospitals lack proper systems for accurate inventory tracking, which contributes to theft and loss of medications. He directed that record-keeping mechanisms be strengthened to enhance accountability and service efficiency.
He expressed concern about the unavailability of essential medicines, particularly for chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart conditions in primary health centres, recommending that the Ministry for Health revise the national treatment guidelines.
Dr Mpango cautioned against the indiscriminate use of painkillers and antibiotics,saying they lead to drug resistance and affect the heart, liver and kidneys.
He urged medical officers to increase community education on the proper use of medicines and adhere to professional ethics.
Dr Mpango further said that the government has received recommendations from health workers regarding issues such as allowances for council medical officers, directing the relevant ministry to address the issue. He also stressed the importance of leadership training and allowances for health cadre.
He specified that in the four years of the sixth phase government, the government has invested approximately 1.29tri/- in primary healthcare services, including infrastructure development, human resource and medical supplies, with the goal of reducing maternal and child mortality and improving reproductive health in the country.
For his part, Chairperson for Regional and Council Medical Officers Dr Best Magoma, presented several recommendations, including that each region should prepare a Regional Risk Profile to help identify health risk indicators affecting the community and develop strategies to address them according to the specific circumstances of the respective regions.
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