Arusha summit puts Tanzania’s primary healthcare reforms in the spotlight

More than 3,000 health-sector stakeholders from Tanzania and abroad are expected in Arusha for a three-day meeting focused on strengthening primary healthcare. The second International Primary Healthcare Conference will take place from Sept. 9 to 11, 2026, at the Arusha International Conference Centre.

For Tanzania, the summit offers a chance to present reforms designed to improve healthcare delivery at the grassroots level. Prof. Riziki Shemdoe, the minister of state in the Prime Minister’s Office responsible for Regional Administration and Local Government, said the country would highlight targeted measures to curb maternal and child mortality.

The conference will also allow participating countries to assess existing strategies, identify gaps and expand interventions that have proved effective. “The conference will provide an opportunity to exchange experiences on improvements in primary healthcare taking place around the world and develop joint strategies to achieve national and global health goals,” Shemdoe said.

Discussions will focus on widening access to care and advancing universal health coverage, while linking primary healthcare systems to broader international development targets. The gathering will include health professionals, policymakers, development partners, researchers, academics, students, civil society groups and private-sector representatives.

Primary healthcare is the first point of contact between citizens and the national health system. The article notes that shortages of infrastructure or personnel at this level can delay treatment and place additional pressure on referral facilities. Shemdoe confirmed his participation and welcomed international delegates to Arusha.

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The conference will provide an opportunity to exchange experiences on improvements in primary healthcare taking place around the world and develop joint strategies to achieve national and global health goals.