Tanzanian government pledges uninterrupted health services despite aid cuts

Dar es Salaam. The government has assured the public that essential health services, including reproductive health care, will continue despite the suspension of aid by the US government.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Grace Magembe, said on Wednesday, February 19 that the matter was being handled by a task force under the Prime Minister’s Office.

The task force is assessing the situation and will release a report in due course. 

“No service has been halted; they are continuing in an integrated manner. ARV drugs and other essential medicines are still available,” she said.

However, Dr Magembe acknowledged that some civil society organisations, which previously provided reproductive health education, have been affected.

“We are working to ensure these services continue. Currently, community health providers, who are now paid by the government, offer integrated services, including public health education, tuberculosis and malaria care, family planning, and teenage pregnancy prevention,” she added.

She further explained that a comprehensive plan has been developed to train community health workers, ensuring the sustainability of these services.  

Even as the US has cut aid, other foreign donors continue. Some of the ongoing donor-funded projects include Solutions for Supporting Healthy Adolescents Rights and Protection (SHARP) a four year programme funded by the EU implemented under EANNASO in Tanzania and in other Great Lakes Region countries of Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi DRC and Zambia.

Concerns
Despite the government’s assurances, stakeholders warn that the suspension of USAID-funded programmes could lead to a rise in new HIV infections, teenage pregnancies, and maternal deaths.

A youth leader and peer educator, Hadija Maganga, expressed concerns about the accessibility of reproductive health services, particularly for adolescent girls.

“With the withdrawal of aid, we are left wondering what the future holds. Adolescents often struggle to access information on reproductive health due to cultural barriers within families. Peer educators played a significant role in bridging this gap, and we are uncertain if the government can fully replace USAID’s efforts,” she said.

A reproductive health expert, Denis Bwana, said that access to reproductive health services, including contraception and education, is critical in reducing teenage pregnancies and early marriages.

“Regions such as Manyara and Morogoro, which have high rates of teenage pregnancies, will be particularly affected,” he said.

Call for solutions
The Coordinator of the Christian Council of Tanzania (CCT), Modest Pesha, urged the government to prioritise sustainable healthcare funding to mitigate the effects of foreign aid cuts.

“It is too early to fully assess the impact of these policy changes, but access to reproductive health services is vital in preventing HIV infections, teenage pregnancies, and forced marriages,” he said.

Pesha said there is need for reproductive health education at the family level and called on religious institutions to incorporate such teachings into their programmes.

Stakeholders have also urged the government to fulfil commitments such as the Abuja Declaration, which requires countries to allocate at least 15 percent of their national budget to the health sector.

“We must establish sustainable healthcare systems instead of relying on foreign aid. The funds from the US may seem small, but their impact is significant. Our tax revenues should prioritise healthcare, education, and infrastructure,” said Bwana.

He further suggested that the government review its tax and investment policies to encourage private sector participation in the health sector.

“The private sector needs a conducive environment to invest in healthcare. If we do not create favourable policies, these essential services will continue to suffer,” he said.

As the government works on a long-term solution, stakeholders continue to express concerns over the potential long-term consequences of the aid suspension on Tanzania’s healthcare system.