68 percent of Tanzanians satisfied with healthcare services, survey reveals
What you need to know:
- The survey indicates that healthcare remains a top priority for citizens, with nearly 45 percent of respondents citing it as an area requiring urgent government intervention.
Dar es Salaam. A majority of Tanzanians—equivalent to 68 percent—appreciate the government’s efforts to improve basic healthcare services, according to new Afrobarometer study.
The survey indicates that healthcare remains a top priority for citizens, with nearly 45 percent of respondents citing it as an area requiring urgent government intervention.
The Afrobarometer Round Ten survey on Public Health in Tanzania was conducted by research think tank, Repoa, last year. The findings revealed that nearly seven in ten Tanzanians (68 per cent) value the government’s efforts in healthcare provision.
Repoa’s director for research and training, Dr Lucas Katera, acknowledged the public’s overall satisfaction while noting persistent challenges such as a shortage of healthcare staff.
“We have seen in the report that, despite challenges such as a shortage of health staff and other issues, Tanzanians remain satisfied with how the government provides healthcare services,” he said during the official launch of the results yesterday.
Director for Research and Training at Repoa, Dr Lucas Katera, presents key findings of the Afrobarometer survey on public health services. PHOTO | COURTESY
The survey also found that nearly 40 percent of Tanzanians had gone without medicine or medical treatment at least once in the past year, with 17 percent saying they frequently or always lacked access to medical care.
“The government has invested heavily in areas such as medical equipment and medicine. This research aimed to assess how healthcare services have improved, and the findings show that people are generally satisfied,” Dr Katera added.
The report further highlighted that two in three citizens—34 percent to some extent and 32 percent to a great extent—worry about being unable to afford healthcare if they or a family member were to fall ill.
Nearly half of respondents reported having gone without essential medicine or medical treatment at least once in the past year, including one-sixth who did so frequently or always.
Commenting on the findings, Dr Eva Matiko from a local non-governmental organisation called Tanzania Health Promotion Support said the results were encouraging, as they indicate a large proportion of Tanzanians are satisfied with healthcare services, suggesting that the government is fulfilling its role effectively.
