WHAT CAN TANZANIA'S HEALTH CARE SYSTEM LEARN FROM OECD COUNTRIES?

Abstract

Abstract Healthcare systems around the world have different shapes that are largely affected by socio-economic and political situations of a particular country. It is essential for the population to have better health services which requires the country to have better health policies, enough funding for health care sector, and a well structured delivery system. Tanzania like any other developing countries continue to face different challenges in healthcare sector greatly influenced by poor economy despite of recent economic improvement. The need to look for alternatives and restructure its healthcare system is crucial . OBJECTIVE: To describe and characterize Tanzania's healthcare system, following the presentation of different healthcare system models and to find out opportunities and constraints - and thus key challenges - confronting Tanzania in the development of the healthcare system. METHODOLOGY: The study employed a qualitative approach with descriptive comparative analysis by comparing Tanzania (as a developing country) and Germany (as a developed country) with the intention of identifying key differences and characteristics of Tanzania healthcare system. Data were collected from public documents and literatures as the methods to collect data/information about Tanzania and Germany healthcare system.. Germany was used to contrast and challenge the Tanzania healthcare system. The study used public documents, literatures and case studies. RESULTS: Based on descriptive comparative analysis between Tanzania and Germany's healthcare systems and models of healthcare financing, the key characteristics and challenges of Tanzania healthcare system were identified. Work force crisis, insufficiency funding mechanism, low enrolment among health insurance schemes and inadequate access to healthcare services were among of the key challenges found to characterise the Tanzania healthcare system. However, this case study used examples from successful developing countries to illustrate alternative ways of developing its healthcare system.

Abstract Healthcare systems around the world have different shapes that are largely affected by socio-economic and political situations of a particular country. It is essential for the population to have better health services which requires the country to have better health policies, enough funding for health care sector, and a well structured delivery system. Tanzania like any other developing countries continue to face different challenges in healthcare sector greatly influenced by poor economy despite of recent economic improvement. The need to look for alternatives and restructure its healthcare system is crucial . OBJECTIVE: To describe and characterize Tanzania's healthcare system, following the presentation of different healthcare system models and to find out opportunities and constraints - and thus key challenges - confronting Tanzania in the development of the healthcare system. METHODOLOGY: The study employed a qualitative approach with descriptive comparative analysis by comparing Tanzania (as a developing country) and Germany (as a developed country) with the intention of identifying key differences and characteristics of Tanzania healthcare system. Data were collected from public documents and literatures as the methods to collect data/information about Tanzania and Germany healthcare system.. Germany was used to contrast and challenge the Tanzania healthcare system. The study used public documents, literatures and case studies. RESULTS: Based on descriptive comparative analysis between Tanzania and Germany's healthcare systems and models of healthcare financing, the key characteristics and challenges of Tanzania healthcare system were identified. Work force crisis, insufficiency funding mechanism, low enrolment among health insurance schemes and inadequate access to healthcare services were among of the key challenges found to characterise the Tanzania healthcare system. However, this case study used examples from successful developing countries to illustrate alternative ways of developing its healthcare system.