Tanzania aims to position itself as medical tourism hub during 2027 AFCON
What you need to know:
- Despite having more than 6,000 patients from foreign countries treated in Tanzania’s top six hospitals annually, officials say the number is still relatively low.
Dar es Salaam. Tanzania is set to leverage the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament to establish itself as a leading destination for medical tourism on the continent.
Speaking on Thursday, June 6, stakeholders in the medical sector said that by promoting its healthcare infrastructure and showcasing its healthcare advancements and successful case studies, Tanzania can attract potential international patients.
For the first time in East African nations' history, a continental football tournament will be held jointly in the region by Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda.
The Medical Tourism Coordinator from the ministry of Health, Dr Asha Mahita, outlined the government's proactive measures to promote medical tourism.
These initiatives include encouraging hospitals to obtain accreditation, which not only garners international recognition but also assures people of the high quality and standards of services provided.
"In many of our hospitals, only select areas, such as laboratories, currently hold international accreditation. Our aim is to extend this accreditation to every department within the hospitals. It’s a matter of ramping up our efforts," she said.
She said in 2022, Tanzania received 5,705 patients from foreign countries; this number increased to 6,931 in 2023.
"From January to May 2024, Tanzania has already received 3,651 patients from abroad," she revealed.
She said the statistics were gathered from six local hospitals: Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH), Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI), Ocean Road Cancer Institute (ORCI), Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute (MOI), Aga Khan Hospital (AKH), and Saifee Hospital.
“We want to utilise AFCON to promote our health services and ensure our hospitals achieve full accreditation,” she said.
The country director of PharmAccess in Tanzania, Dr Heri Marwa, emphasised the importance of ensuring the quality and accessibility of medical services.
"Quality medical care for visitors attending AFCON should be assured, along with ensuring the availability and accessibility of these services," he stressed.
He noted that while the government has made significant investments in healthcare infrastructure, it is crucial to maintain international standards to attract foreign visitors.
Despite having more than 6,000 patients from foreign countries treated in Tanzania’s top six hospitals, Dr Marwa pointed out that this number is still relatively low.
The main challenge, according to him, is the lack of awareness about the available medical services and their quality.
"The challenge is how we use digital channels to inform people about the available services and their quality," he said.
Vice Chairman of the national medical tourism committee, Mr Abdulmalik Mollel, affirmed Tanzania’s readiness to receive medical tourists.
"We are ready to welcome medical tourism. First, in terms of technology, we are well-equipped. We have experts and medical equipment that many other countries do not have," he said.
