THIS year’s 12th Tanzania Health Summit (THS) has seen participation increase from 500 to 1,400 attendees, reflecting strong government support and initiatives led by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, says Dr. Chakou Tindwa, THS Board Chairman.

The summit focused on “Harnessing Data Utilization and Technologies to accelerate Universal Health Coverage (UHC), bringing together stakeholders to discuss innovations and strategies to improve health services across the country.

Dr Tindwa revealed the achievement in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday during a three-day summit graced by the Dr. Seif Shekalaghe, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health.

He said with President Samia’s leadership, THS has enjoyed full government support, with summit participation rising and funding provided by the government.

“Under President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s leadership, the Tanzania Health Summit has benefited from full government support over the past years. Participation has grown from 500 to 1,400 attendees, and the government has provided the necessary funding to ensure the success of the summit and to advance health initiatives across the country,” he said.

He added: “The summit is still expecting more support from partners, stakeholders, and the government as well to further strengthen healthcare delivery and expand access to essential services nationwide.”

Dr. Seif Shekalaghe, said digital solutions are a future of resilience health systems as many African countries are in process to implement UHC as they harness data utilization and technologies.

“As African countries move toward implementing Universal Health Coverage, digital solutions will be key to building resilient health systems. While technology improves diagnosis and personalized care, protecting data privacy and security remains essential.”

Dr. Omary Chillo, President of the Tanzania Health Summit (THS), said that the 12th THS recognizes innovative programs that have enabled young professionals to make significant contributions to the health sector.

He highlighted that these initiatives are not only supporting the development of excellent healthcare workers but are also helping to integrate data and technology into healthcare systems, enhancing efficiency and service delivery across the country.

Ulrika Baker, Health Manager at  United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Tanzania, said harnessing data utilization and technologies to accelerate UHC requires careful planning and attention to the fundamental questions of how, what, and when these tools are implemented. Without clear strategies, even the most advanced technology cannot deliver meaningful impact.

“Developing an app or digital tool alone is not an achievement. The true measure of success lies in how these systems are designed and implemented to work effectively for people, improving access, quality, and outcomes in healthcare delivery across the country,” she said.