Young people must be included in the universal health coverage agenda

If we are to effectively uphold the human right to quality health services, including SRH, young people must be included in the universal health coverage agenda

"The question for all of us to consider today as we start this Health Summit, is: What actions can we take to ensure that Tanzania’s large youthful population is well positioned and equipped to support the country’s development aspirations? What is the role of the health sector to ensure Tanzania realizes its Human Capital"? Mark Bryan Schreiner, UNFPA Representative, in the United Republic of Tanzania.

Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. A Decade of Action that was! Tanzania Health Summit was back, and this time at the age of 10 it was bigger and better than ever! Over 1000 health stakeholders from Tanzania and abroad gathered to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the summit and discuss the future of healthcare in the country. The atmosphere at the summit was electric. Health forum rooms were jam-packed with attendees eager to learn from leading experts and share their own insights.

Exhibitors had their stands humming with activity as they showcased their latest products and services. All the floors of the main hall were packed, with some people standing on the sides just to get a glimpse of the well-managed screens displaying key speakers. The summit was graced by the presence of the President of Zanzibar, Dr. Hussein Mwinyi, who underscored the need to invest in Universal Health Coverage, Primary Health Care and Community Health Workers. The theme of the summit was "Health Systems Strengthening, towards UHC with focus on Primary Health Care", and the discussions were focused on finding concrete ways to improve healthcare for all Tanzanians. Over 30 forums were held, with more than 200 research abstracts presented.

"The Tanzania Health Summit theme is very timely given the current global and national context with respect to population dynamics. Our human family recently surpassed 8 billion people globally, the largest human population in history. This remarkable attainment takes place in a world of people living longer and healthier lives. This dramatic growth has been driven largely by increasing numbers of people living to older ages, and has been accompanied by major changes in fertility rates, increasing urbanization and large-scale migration. These trends will have far-reaching implications for generations to come". Said Mark Bryan Schreiner, UNFPA Representative in the United Republic of Tanzania.

The topics covered ranged from maternal and child health to infectious diseases to non-communicable diseases. The summit was a truly exhilarating experience, and it left everyone feeling energized and motivated to work together to achieve the goal of Universal Health Coverage for all Tanzanians.

“Ministry of Health of United Republic of Tanzania remains committed to achieve targets for Health for All especially by improving accessibility of quality primary health care services in urban and rural Tanzania. We are also reforming our Community Health Programme through implementing an Integrated and Coordinated Community Health Workers #CHWs Programme as among the strategies to achieve Health for All by 2030”. #HealthForAll Said Hon. Ummy Mwalimu, Minister of Health, Tanzania Mainland.

Tanzania’s national population of nearly 62 million (as reported in the 2022 Population and Housing census), has never been seen before. More than 60 per cent of the population in Tanzania is below the age of 24; and the number of young people is increasing. With this large youthful population, Tanzania has the possibility of achieving a demographic dividend, which is the window of opportunity for rapid economic growth, but only if the right social and economic investments and policies are made in health, education, governance, and the economy.

The National Development Plan III (2021/22-2025/26) for mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar’s Development Plan (2021 - 2026) recognize the importance of ensuring that adolescents are healthy, appropriately educated, and skilled to take up the jobs that will be created in the economy. Vision 2025 further underscores the importance of investing in the country’s abundant human resources to create human capital and thereby harness the demographic dividend.

Additionally, Vision 2025 underscores the country’s current demographic profile, with respect to high fertility rates, coupled with high, though declining mortality and the consequent child and youth-heavy age structure - a key feature that will influence the country’s development trajectory.

“There is no better time to deliberate on the human capital issue than now… we must set clear priorities in family planning & sexual reproductive health education among the youth.” Said HE President Samia Suluhu Hassan during the Africa Human Capital Summit in July 2023

In order to reap the benefits of the demographic dividend, Tanzania must invest in its human capital, including by investing in education and healthcare to ensure that the growing youth and working-age population is well-educated and healthy. This must be a key priority, particularly as the country prepares to develop it’s Vision 2050. With the focus of this conference on strengthening health systems for universal health coverage, it is important to emphasize the need to increase health coverage, including SRH for adolescents and young people, particularly those who are most vulnerable, including youth with disabilities.

Additionally, the issue of financial protection cannot be overstated- particularly the importance of including provisions that can help young people, including the most vulnerable to avert financial hardship. "If we are to effectively uphold the human right to quality health services, including SRH, young people must be included in the UHC Agenda". said Mark Bryan Scheiner, UNFPA Representative in the United Republic of Tanzania

Through UNFPA work with the Government of Tanzania and several partners, UNFPA is supporting the health, education and empowerment of young people to accelerate the reduction in adolescent pregnancies, preventable maternal deaths, gender-based violence and harmful practices - providing young people with the life skills to effectively navigate the complexities of adolescence and fulfil their potential.

UNFPA is committed to continued collaboration with the government and key stakeholders in Tanzania to realise the goal of achieving universal access to sexual and reproductive health, realise RH rights, and reduce maternal mortality. UNFPA look forward to continuing to collaborate with the Government and people of Tanzania to fulfil the country’s development aspirations, by putting young people at the centre, and enabling them to achieve their full potential.

In closing of his remarks, Mr. Mark Bryan Schreiner took an opportunity to invite interested participants to join UNFPA-organized forum and Panel discussion on 5^th Oct to hear more about UNFPA work in Population and development and discuss the challenges and opportunities of achieving universal health coverage, within the context of our population dynamics. Follow the data from evidence to action!.

The Tanzania Health Summit is the premier healthcare event in the country, and it has played a vital role in advancing the healthcare sector in Tanzania. The 10th Anniversary edition was a resounding success, and it set the stage for an even more exciting and productive summit in 2024. THS took place on 3-5th October in Dar es Salaam, the three-day event convened the entire healthcare ecosystem, connecting and developing relationships that truly move the SDG agenda.