The Tanzania Digital Health Strategy (2019–2024)

The Tanzania Digital Health Strategy (2019–2024) is a comprehensive framework designed to harness the power of digital technologies to improve the health sector. Its overarching aim is to ensure better health outcomes by enabling a digitally integrated and client-centric health system.

Vision and mission

The vision is to achieve better health outcomes through a digitally enabled health system. The mission is to accelerate the transformation of Tanzania’s health system using innovative, data-driven, client-focused, efficient, and integrated digital health solutions.

Guiding principles

• Client-centric design: respond to users’ needs to ensure a responsive and inclusive health system.
• Data-driven initiatives: provide accurate and timely data for decision-making.
• Interoperability: enable seamless and secure information exchange using open standards.
• Open standards and open source: promote vendor-neutral solutions that ensure data preservation.
• Data security: maintain privacy, confidentiality, and security of health data.
• Stakeholder engagement: encourage collaboration across sectors to support implementation.

Strategic goals

• Strengthen digital health governance and leadership.
• Improve the client experience through efficient and high-quality services.
• Empower healthcare providers to use evidence-based tools effectively.
• Ensure sustainable availability of health resources.
• Standardise the exchange of health information.

Strategic priorities

1. Strengthen governance and leadership for improved coordination and implementation of digital health initiatives.
2. Improve efficiency, accessibility, and the quality of care through holistic digital health solutions, including telehealth.
3. Enhance health workforce competency through technology and equitable access to specialised care in underserved areas.
4. Promote healthy behaviour through access to relevant health information, education, and communication.
5. Enhance seamless and secure information exchange within and beyond the health sector.
6. Increase data use at all levels of the health system for evidence-based actions.
7. Optimise supply chain management of health commodities through digital tools.
8. Improve the management of human resources across the health system.
9. Strengthen financial resource management using integrated digital systems.
10. Improve disease prevention, surveillance, reporting, and response mechanisms through enhanced digital solutions.

Governance framework

The governance framework ensures that all initiatives align with the strategy’s objectives. A National Digital Health Steering Committee provides leadership and strategic oversight. Regional Health Management Teams and Council Health Management Teams are responsible for implementing the strategy at their respective levels, while institutional and health facility committees manage localised initiatives.

Resource mobilisation

The strategy outlines the need to mobilise financial, human, and computing resources. Financial resources will be sourced through government budgets, development partnerships, and grants. Skilled ICT personnel will be equitably distributed, and collaboration with telecommunications providers will ensure the availability of reliable infrastructure.

Change management

Change management is integral to the successful implementation of digital health solutions. This involves creating awareness among health workers, providing adequate training, and using change-management plans to transition from manual systems to digital solutions.

Innovation and research

The strategy emphasises collaboration with universities and research institutions to explore and adopt emerging technologies such as AI, big data analytics, and internet of things. Establishing digital health incubation centres will support the development of scalable solutions.

Monitoring, evaluation, and learning

A monitoring, evaluation, and learning framework has been established to track progress and ensure alignment with Tanzania’s health priorities. This framework will assess the effectiveness of the strategy’s implementation through regular reporting and adaptation.