Tanzanians applaud government for improving basic health care, but health remains the country’s top priority
The highlights from Afrobarometer study as presented here today (19th March 2025) by REPOA’s Senior Researcher, Dr. Hubert Shija show that a majority of Tanzanians appreciate the government’s efforts to improve basic health care services. But citizens still cite health as the country’s most pressing issue requiring government attention.
Accessibility of health care remains a key concern: Only about one-third of rural areas have a health clinic or hospital in the vicinity, while fewer than six in 10 urban centres do.
Nearly half of respondents report going without essential medicine or medical treatment at least once in the past year, including one-sixth who did so “many times” or “always.”
Unsurprisingly, two-thirds of Tanzanians express concern about their ability to afford health care if needed. These worries are more prevalent among the poor than among the well-off.
Key findings
- Almost seven in 10 Tanzanians (68%) appreciate the work the government is doing to improve basic health services (Figure 1).
- However, improving health care is still citizens’ top priority, cited by close to half (45%) of respondents as a problem requiring government intervention (Figure 2).
- Only about one-third (35%) of rural areas surveyed by Afrobarometer have public or private health facilities, compared to nearly six in 10 urban centres (58%) (Figure 3).
- Nearly half (47%) of Tanzanians say they went without medicine or medical treatment at least once in the past year, including one-sixth (17%) who say they lacked medical care “many times” or “always” (Figure 4).
- Two in three citizens worry “somewhat” (34%) or “a lot” (32%) that they will be unable to afford health care if they or a family member get sick (Figure 5).
- More than three-fourths (78%) of those experiencing high lived poverty worry that they cannot afford to pay medical bills.
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