IN Tanzania, as in many African countries, access to healthcare in rural areas remains limited due to resource shortages and insufficient healthcare personnel. This gap leaves much of the rural population, including people with disabilities (PWDs), without reliable healthcare services.

Recently, Kisesa Member of Parliament (MP) Luhaga Mpina highlighted this issue, stating in the National Assembly that nearly 6,000 villages in Tanzania lack health centers, creating a significant public health challenge. 

According to the Tanzania Demographic Health Survey 2022 (TDHS), with a population nearing 70 million, Tanzania has only 676 hospitals, 1,466 health centers, and roughly 7,965 dispensaries, most of which are concentrated in urban areas. These figures reflect a considerable shortfall in services for the majority rural population.

To bridge this gap, the Tanzanian government has partnered with the private sector to extend healthcare services through mobile outreach programmes. 

One such partnership is between the Ministry of Health and Marie Stopes Tanzania, which has been actively providing healthcare services via mobile clinics to remote areas.

Known as ‘huduma za mkoba’ (mobile services) in Kiswahili, this programme aims to reach underserved rural populations, including PWDs. The mobile clinics provide a range of essential services, such as contraception, family planning, sexual and reproductive health (SRH) support, and cancer screenings.

PWDs may have additional logistical needs, such as special equipment or caregivers, that make it difficult to access care in distant or centralized locations. Mobile services reduce the travel burden and allow for convenient, regular check-ups and treatments at home or nearby.

Many PWDs require on-going and specialized medical care. Mobile health services provide a way to maintain continuity in their care, as providers can visit regularly, monitor changes, and adjust treatment plans as needed without disrupting the patients’ routines.

Mobile outreach teams often have specialized training for working with individuals with disabilities, allowing them to deliver more tailored and sensitive care. This includes mental health support and rehabilitation, which may be essential for maintaining or improving the quality of life for PWDs.

Enos Moshi, a visually impaired resident from Shinyanga Region, expresses gratitude for the mobile outreach clinics, which have made healthcare more accessible for him and his family. 

“In the past, if a person with a disability fell sick, it was challenging for them to reach health centers due to the distance and lack of assistance. Now, with these mobile clinics, healthcare services are brought closer to our homes,” he shares.

Zawadi Lubuga, Outreach Lead at Marie Stopes Tanzania, explains that each mobile outreach team includes a blend of medical professionals, such as doctors, nurses (who lead the team), and drivers (who assist the team). 

"Marie Stopes Tanzania has been training outreach groups to better serve rural communities, including people with disabilities," she says, adding, currently, 40 outreach teams operate across the country year-round, providing vital health services.

Allan Shayo, an outreach assistant, says the on-going training from Marie Stopes Tanzania, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, has made it easier to serve PWDs. 

"These training programmes have deepened our understanding of the needs of people with disabilities and improved our approach to care. Previously, we lacked the skills to effectively assist them," he says. 

Shayo also notes that the training has dispelled misconceptions and reduced discrimination against PWDs among healthcare providers.

Disability inclusion expert, Francis Gugu highlights the longstanding challenge of providing accessible healthcare for people with disabilities. 

"We are now training outreach teams in basic sign language to improve communication with patients who are hearing-impaired, which is a vital step toward inclusivity in healthcare," he explains, emphasizing the need for more government-private sector partnerships to promote disability awareness in health centers.

According to Novath Rukwago, a senior advocacy officer at CCBRT Hospital, empowering PWDs to participate and demand their healthcare rights is essential.

"Many healthcare workers think hearing-impaired patients require sign language interpreters, but some patients can read lips or benefit from written communication. A lack of understanding leaves many PWDs without proper care," he notes.

Reports indicate that extending healthcare services to underserved rural populations has a substantial impact on reducing maternal mortality rates, benefiting both national and global health initiatives. By reaching marginalized communities and PWDs through mobile clinics, Tanzania is making strides toward a more inclusive and accessible healthcare system.