Building a responsive and resilient health system in Tanzania: exploring recommendations from literature and the first International Primary Health Care (iPHC) conference

Abstract

Introduction: there is growing evidence that universal health coverage (UHC) can be achieved by investing in primary health care (PHC). Attempts to understand the evidence that provides recommendations for health system strengthening are scarce. This study aimed to compile recommendations for health system strengthening in Tanzania. Methods: this study adopted a descriptive qualitative study design to gather and analyze data. An extraction form was used to gather information from abstracts and conference proceedings from, international primary health care (iPHC) conference held in Dodoma, Tanzania from 25th-27th March 2024 and scholarly articles and global reports from January 2013 to December 2023 that focus on the functionality of Primary Health Care (PHC) in Tanzania. Thematic analysis was employed in data analysis of the gathered information. Results: the recommendations obtained from both the literature and iPHC conference pointed out the need for: 1) Embracing learning health system culture; 2) Investment in continuous professional development; 3) Capital investment for health system inputs; 4) Intensifying knowledge and uptake of pre-payment programs and other sources of health care financing; 5) Investing in quality improvement; and 6) addressing issues beyond the health system. Conclusion: health system strengthening efforts in Tanzania towards UHC, requires a multifaceted approach. Strategies geared towards improvement of supply side bottlenecks coupled with intervention in the demand side are required. Moreover, the role of political commitments and intersectoral collaboration for tackling issues beyond the health system and emerging global health challenges such as emerging and re-emerging diseases, climate change is critical.