After the passing of the 5th President, H.E. Dr. John Magufuli, H.E. Samia Suluhu Hassan was sworn in as Tanzania’s 6th President on 19th March 2021, making her become the first female president in Tanzanian history.
The Zanzibar born new president made already several announcements and changes with regards to the health sector.
She created an expert group to analyse the country’s COVID-19 situation and she announced to move the UHC process forward. Within the Ministry of Health, Community Delevlopment, Gender, Elderly and Children she appointed a new Permanent Secretary and a new Chief Medical Officer (CMO). The new PS, Prof. Abel Makubi, has served before as CMO and Head of Bugando Hospital. Ummy Mwalimu, Health Minister until 2020, was appointed as new State Minister for the President’s Office Regional Administration and Local Government, PO-RALG.
P4H Country Focal Person is in close contact with the government and P4H partners in order to support the progress in formulating the necessary legislation for the introduction of a unified nationwide health insurance, a process that has been slowed down during the recent years.
