PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE PRESSURES GOVERNMENT: HOSPITALS URGED TO PUBLICIZE INVESTMENTS AS SHORTAGE OF ANESTHESIA SPECIALISTS EMERGES
By Joseph Ngilisho | Dar es Salaam
The government has been issued with strong directives to improve the delivery of healthcare services across the country, including the need to publicly highlight major investments made in referral hospitals to encourage more citizens to utilize the improved services.
The directives were issued by the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and HIV/AIDS, Dr. Johannes Lukumay, during an inspection visit conducted on March 18, 2026, at Mwananyamala Regional Referral Hospital in Dar es Salaam.
Dr. Lukumay noted that despite significant investments made by the government under the leadership of President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, many citizens remain unaware of these improvements, a situation that has led to underutilization of upgraded health services.
“It is important for our hospitals to establish clear systems for publicizing these investments—through billboards, brochures, and other means—so that citizens are informed and can seek services in a timely manner,” he said.
SHORTAGE OF SPECIALISTS HIGHLIGHTED
The committee also directed the government to increase the number of healthcare workers, with particular emphasis on anesthesia specialists, who play a critical role in surgical procedures and emergency care.
Dr. Lukumay stressed that the shortage of such professionals significantly affects the delivery of essential services, especially in referral hospitals and facilities handling high volumes of emergency cases.
EMERGENCY DRUGS AND INFRASTRUCTURE
The committee further urged the government to ensure the availability of sufficient emergency medicines, warning that delays in accessing such drugs could lead to preventable loss of lives.
In addition, all hospitals nationwide have been instructed to allocate funds from internal revenues and government subsidies to improve infrastructure. This includes developing comprehensive Master Plans to facilitate the construction of modern multi-storey buildings capable of meeting current and future healthcare demands.
MWANANYAMALA PRAISED FOR CLEANLINESS
During the visit, Dr. Lukumay commended Mwananyamala Regional Referral Hospital for its high standards of cleanliness and organized service delivery, urging other hospitals across the country to emulate the facility.
He also emphasized the importance of providing incentives to healthcare workers and introducing standardized uniforms to enhance discipline, efficiency, and the overall public image of the sector.
GOVERNMENT PLEDGES IMPLEMENTATION
On her part, the Deputy Minister for Health, Dr. Florence Samizi, thanked the committee for its recommendations and assured that the government would act on them.
She noted that the directives are aimed at strengthening healthcare service delivery and improving the quality of care for citizens, calling on all health workers to uphold professionalism, integrity, and public service ethics.
“It is our responsibility to ensure citizens receive quality, safe, and timely healthcare services. Therefore, every worker must fulfill their duties in accordance with laws, regulations, and professional standards,” she said.
Overall, the visit highlighted both the achievements and challenges within the health sector, while setting a new direction for reforms aimed at improving accessibility, quality, and efficiency of healthcare services nationwide.
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