MUHIMBILI University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) has marked a major milestone in medical education with the launch of five Human Anatomy textbooks authored by senior anatomist Professor David Ngasapa.

The new volumes are expected to transform the teaching and learning of medicine in Tanzania by providing locally relevant, competency-based reference materials tailored to the needs of Tanzanian students.

Speaking during the launch in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday, Prof Ngasapa said the idea to write the series was inspired by more than 45 years of teaching at MUHAS, where he witnessed a persistent shortage of appropriate and standardised reference books for students.

“For many years, our students have relied mainly on lecture notes, which vary from one lecturer to another. When they graduate, they leave without a standard reference book to guide them in their professional practice,” he said.

He noted that most available anatomy textbooks are authored in Europe and North America and often use complex language and foreign examples that do not reflect the Tanzanian context.

“In some books, the gallbladder is compared to a type of peas found in Europe, which are unfamiliar to many of our students,” he explained, underscoring the need for culturally and contextually relevant illustrations.

Prof Ngasapa added that English, being a third language for many Tanzanian students, makes it even more challenging to grasp complex medical concepts from foreign-authored texts. 

The newly launched series, he said, simplifies language while maintaining scientific accuracy and aligns fully with the Competency-Based Education (CBE) curriculum, which emphasises understanding, skills acquisition and practical application rather than rote memorisation.

The five-volume series covers gross anatomy, microscopic anatomy and embryology, as well as a specialised text for dental students focusing on oral and maxillofacial structures.

Although the books are legally owned by the author, they were printed with financial support from MUHAS to ensure affordability and sustainability. 

Prof Ngasapa said the pricing has been deliberately kept within reach of local students.
He revealed that the publications have already attracted interest from Zambia, Zimbabwe, India and several East African countries, signalling growing regional demand for context-specific medical learning materials.

Representing the Vice-Chancellor at the event, Dean of the School of Diagnostic Medicine, Prof Agricola Joachim, commended the initiative as a testament to academic dedication and innovation.

“This is a significant contribution not only to MUHAS but to the country’s broader goal of strengthening health training and research,” she said, adding that the university will continue supporting researchers and academic publishing initiatives.

The launch signals Tanzania’s expanding capacity not only to train health professionals but also to produce home-grown academic resources capable of serving national and regional needs.