Health technology assessment system in Tanzania: Is it a championing system or still a system lagging behind?

Mwifadhi Mrisho, Fakih S Bakar, Mohammed Alkhaldi, Patience Vimbayi Mushamiri-Kuzviwanza, Aisha Al Basuoni, Line Enjalbert, Rima Kachach, Maya Hassan, Marcel Tanner and Sara Ahmed

PLOS Global Public Health, 2026, vol. 6, issue 3, 1-21

Abstract: Health Technology Assessment (HTA) is a cost-effective solution that decreases inefficiencies and improper investments in health systems. Tanzania has made remarkable efforts in the field of HTA with the establishment of the national HTA committee in 2017; yet, literature on its institutionalization is limited. Using a systems thinking and analytical approach, this study examined Tanzania’s HTA system, focusing on conceptualization, management, implementation, capacity, and use in policy and decision-making. The study was conducted between 2021 and 2023, purposely targeting experts and organizations involved in HTA. Six national HTA experts participated in virtual In-Depth Interviews (IDIs) of HTA from a policy perspective, and eight members of HTA-associated organizations from governmental and non-governmental sectors. Each organization completed one electronic institutional survey to understand HTA from a technical perspective. Findings from both data sources were consistent; half (n = 4) of the participating organisations surveyed affirmed an understanding of the HTA, but the majority showed limited knowledge of a central HTA agency or formal process. The Ministry of Health (MOH) is the main recipient of the HTA reports. Sustainable funding allocated for HTA is limited, and it is irregularly funded by private companies. Key values included safety, cost, economic evaluation, feasibility considerations, and community acceptability. HTA reports were used to inform clinical guidance, healthcare coverage, and pricing decisions. Experts identified the need to strengthen HTA awareness, advocacy, implementation, and institutionalization, supported by political commitment and inclusive governance. Strengthening the Tanzanian national HTA system through a more inclusive national body is essential to address these challenges.

Date: 2026
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://journals.plos.org/globalpublichealth/artic ... journal.pgph.0004863 (text/html)
https://journals.plos.org/globalpublichealth/artic ... 04863&type=printable (application/pdf)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:plo:pgph00:0004863

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0004863

Access Statistics for this article

More articles in PLOS Global Public Health from Public Library of Science
Bibliographic data for series maintained by globalpubhealth ().