THE government is set to start offering advanced diploma in mental health, midwifery and anaesthesia to bridge the gap and trickle-down services to primary health level this financial year

Asnath Matunga, representative from the Ministry of Health said this in Dar es Salaam yesterday ahead of the National Human Resources for Health Conference scheduled to take place for two days consecutively from July 29th to July 30th this year.

The conference is organized by the government in collaboration with Benjamin Mkapa Foundation (BMF).

She admitted that despite investment made in the health sector, the country still faces an estimated shortage of 65 percent of healthcare workers in health facilities.

Matunga said the government has also issued loans to students pursuing different courses at diploma levels, adding that 4,000 have so far benefitted.

She said that the government in collaboration with stakeholders has directly employed 13,187 health workers and 4,000 contractual workers.

“The government’s decision is to ensure people access services at primary level and get treatment on time,” she said.

Dr Ellen Mkondya-Senkoro, CEO of BMF said that the conference brings together over 500 participants to discuss the country’s human resources in health.

She said the conference will be a platform for all stakeholders to share experience and knowledge, identify domestic and overseas opportunities for in-service and pre-service training.

“Our role as foundation is to collaborate with the government to complement its efforts in ensuring people get access to quality healthcare services,” she said.

According to her, the foundation has employed a total of 13,000 health workers, adding that this year alone, it has employed 2,097.

She said that the foundation works closely with the government in bridging the gap of health workers, especially at primary level.

Rahel Sheiza, Director of Programmes and Business Development at BMF, said that the conference, among others, will bring together employers and employees in the health sector.

Furthermore, she said the conference will be a platform for researchers to present and share their experience and expertise.