IN a move to enhance healthcare standards across Tanzania, PharmAccess, an organisation focused on improving healthcare accessibility and affordability in Africa has partnered with the Tanzania Health Summit (THS) to deploy SafeCare quality assessment tool.

The strategic partnership will see THS become the licensed partner to implement SafeCare, an internationally recognised quality assessment tool designed to elevate healthcare standards and improve certification processes across the country.

The collaboration, announced after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Dar es Salaam on Thursday, will provide Tanzanian healthcare providers with access to SafeCare’s digital framework, enabling them to align with global healthcare quality benchmarks. 

Through the initiative, both organisations aim to strengthen public confidence in healthcare services while fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

During the event, Dr Heri Marwa, PharmAccess country director said the partnership is set to not only improve the quality of healthcare services but also foster a culture of transparency, accountability and continuous improvement, directly contributing to Tanzania’s broader goals of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and healthcare transformation.

The SafeCare tool, internationally accredited and designed to help healthcare facilities assess and improve quality of care, will be implemented across Tanzania through this strategic collaboration. 

With THS taking on the role of exclusive partner, the initiative will provide Tanzanian healthcare providers with the resources to align with global standards and improve patient outcomes.

He emphasised the unique nature of the partnership, marking THS as PharmAccess's first private sector partner in the SafeCare licensing initiative. 

“The partnership is designed to enhance healthcare delivery by helping providers assess their performance, pinpoint gaps, and implement improvement plans at their own pace,” Dr Marwa said.

He added: “The ultimate goal is to build trust in Tanzania's healthcare system.”

Dr Omary Chillo, president of THS, highlighted the long-standing relationship between PharmAccess and THS, which has been ongoing since 2015. 

He expressed optimism about the partnership's potential to bring about significant improvements in Tanzania’s health sector. 

“The SafeCare tool will not only help healthcare facilities assess their quality but also promote a culture of transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement,” he said.

SafeCare director Dr Peter Risha also commended THS for its commitment to healthcare quality and its selection as a lead partner after a rigorous screening process. 

He emphasised SafeCare’s commitment to providing ongoing support to THS, ensuring the success of the initiative and contributing to the shared mission of improving healthcare across Tanzania.

SafeCare’s comprehensive quality improvement system provides healthcare facilities with transparency about their performance, encourages behaviour change through gamification, and offers customised improvement plans. 

The tool, originally paper-based, has now evolved into a technology-driven platform, offering real-time data and geo-mapped analytics. Accredited by ISQua/IEEA, SafeCare is already being utilised in over 7,000 clinics across 25 countries in Africa and Asia.