Ireland committed to supporting quality and essential health care services in Tanzania

On Saturday 29th August, Ireland, in partnership with Denmark, UNFPA, UNICEF and World Bank, signed a new five year joint financing agreement with the Government of Tanzania to bring essential, affordable and quality health services to the people of Tanzania.

Under the new agreement, donors will pool funds to be distributed equitably across 167 districts, with priority given to reaching the most rural and underserved populations. District health management teams will then use the funds to deliver primary health services such as mother and newborn care, childhood vaccinations, prevention and treatment of illness and disease, and health and nutrition education.

Speaking at the signing of the agreement on behalf of all donors present, Ambassador Fionnuala Gilsenan noted the significant progress that the Government of Tanzania has made in the health sector, specifically highlighting the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals related to child mortality and communicable diseases. She further encouraged continued collaboration between donors and Government of Tanzania to sustain these achievements and achieve results in areas that have been lagging behind.

It is anticipated that US$250 million will be distributed under the new agreement over the next five years.