In a country with a population of 65+ million people, Tanzania has one of the lowest doctor to patient ratios in the world. There are less than 9,000 working doctors in the country.

As of 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported the doctor to patient ratio in Tanzania as 1.327 per 10,000, far below their recommendation of 10:10,000. 

Tanzania’s life expectancy is 66 years old, with 1 out of 25 children dying before their 5th birthday. 

Communicable diseases like HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria are the most common cause of illnesses, death and disability. However, non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cancer and chronic respiratory track and cardiovascular conditions are steadily increasing.

The quality of health care is compromised by weak institutional response preparedness, inadequate equipment and supplies and insufficient and unskilled staff. While there are steps being made to improve this state, more needs to be done.

Despite what appears to be an adequate number of health care stations most of them are unable to adequately serve the population due to:

• insufficient drugs and medical supplies
• inadequately paid medical personnel
• inconsistent availability of diagnostic equipment
• unreliable water supply and power.

Kamachumu Health Clinic will be located in the heart of Kamachumu, one of the largest towns in Kagera, a region in Northwestern Tanzania. The Kagera region has a population between 2.5 and 3 million and the population of Kamachumu, including the surrounding villages, make up over 100,000 inhabitants.

As Tanzanians from this region, we hear directly from relatives who complain of the lack of medical services. It is clear that there needs to be more affordable and reliable health services that people can have access to.

With over 40 years of experience in medical and public health services in over 7 different countries, we have the expertise to make this possible – but we need your support.