Tanzania

Routine immunizations and new vaccine introductions save countless lives, but without high-quality, analysis-ready health data, it is difficult to mobilize adequate resources and make them available to those who need them most. Through PATH’s Better Immunization Data (BID) initiative, the Government of Tanzania is improving data collection, quality, and use and implementing tools—such as electronic immunization records—to increase immunization coverage and improve health services for all people in Tanzania. PATH is a trusted partner, providing technical support as the government scales its national immunization registry, builds capacity on relevant software and data analytics, and integrates the government’s birth registration and immunization record systems. With better data to make better decisions, more people will have access to life-saving vaccines.

When the COVID-19 pandemic began, PATH partnered with the Government of Tanzania to implement a COVID-19 response. To ensure the health system was prepared to treat COVID-19 patients, PATH conducted an assessment of biomedical equipment related to respiratory care and treatment, taking stock of available resources and repairing necessary devices. PATH also helped train health care workers on epidemic disease management, with a focus on COVID-19, and trained laboratory staff in six regions on how to safely handle COVID-19 samples. This work is still ongoing, reaching more regions and more people.

Through the Data Use Partnership (DUP), the Government of Tanzania, with support from PATH, is applying a sustainable, holistic approach to digitizing the country’s health system. ​The DUP initiative strengthens the digital health infrastructure and builds local capacity so that everyone – from government officials to health workers to patients – can make more informed decisions. To this end, PATH is providing technical support to build systems that enable health information to flow more easily, increase the use of data so health workers can provide services efficiently, and develop local capacity in technology and governance. As part of these efforts, the government launched a new Digital Health Strategy (2019—2024), which was developed with PATH’s support and will guide the implementation of digital health initiatives, enabling a patient-centric, data-driven, and more equitable health system.

PATH works collaboratively with Tanzania’s National Malaria Control Programme to improve malaria care and prevention across the country. Together, we are working to control the spread of malaria and decrease the number of deaths from malaria. PATH supports these efforts by working to improve the quality and use of malaria-relevant health data, which can then be used to inform life-saving interventions. For example, we are strengthening case management so all patients can access quality care, predicting needs for medical supplies to ensure health clinics are well stocked, and scaling up testing in the regions where it is needed most.

Throughout Tanzania, PATH helped bring tuberculosis (TB) and HIV services together in one place so that patients could access critical testing and medications more easily. PATH’s work to integrate the delivery of TB and HIV services has positively impacted people living in some of Tanzania’s hardest-to-reach areas. This work included education campaigns about free TB and HIV/TB services to heighten awareness, reduce stigma, and encourage people to get tested and seek care.