By Business Insider Reporter
Tanzania has rolled out Portable Fundus Camera systems as part of the Sixth Phase Government’s broader strategy to strengthen preventive healthcare and expand access to specialized medical technology, a senior official from the Ministry of Health (MoH) has said.
Edith Bakari, Acting Director of Non-Communicable Diseases at the ministry, said the new technology is expected to benefit between 15 and 20 million people in Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Mbeya and surrounding regions.
She said the initiative is not only a major healthcare intervention, but also part of a wider economic strategy aimed at addressing the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), particularly diabetes and its complications.
According to her, the investment is expected to improve workforce productivity, reduce disability linked to diabetes-related blindness and lower long-term treatment costs that continue to place fiscal pressure on families and the national healthcare system.
The introduction of the technology also reflects Tanzania’s increasing shift toward preventive and technology-driven healthcare, with authorities seeking to improve early disease detection while reducing the economic impact associated with advanced illnesses and loss of productivity.
Speaking during a training session held at Benjamin Mkapa Hospital, Ms. Bakari said the technology will strengthen early diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy, a major complication linked to diabetes that can lead to blindness if left untreated.
“The technology will enable patients to be diagnosed early before reaching dangerous stages, making it possible to begin treatment earlier and reduce or completely prevent disability caused by loss of sight due to diabetes,” she said.
Tthe move reflects Tanzania’s increasing shift toward preventive and technology-driven healthcare as the country faces a rising prevalence of lifestyle diseases, particularly diabetes and hypertension, which are placing growing pressure on families, employers and the national healthcare budget.
Ms. Bakari noted that the devices will be integrated into diabetes clinics in hospitals as well as outreach health services to improve accessibility for underserved communities.
“These devices are expected to be fully utilized in diabetes clinics in our hospitals and in outreach services. This will help reach many citizens who do not easily access healthcare facilities,” she said.
The deployment of the technology is expected to significantly reduce the economic impact associated with visual impairment and blindness, conditions that often result in loss of income, reduced labour productivity and increased dependency among affected households.
Improved screening and early intervention are expected to reduce the need for costly advanced treatment and overseas medical referrals, supporting the government’s broader efforts to strengthen local specialized healthcare services while retaining healthcare spending within the domestic economy.
The Ministry of Health also acknowledged the contribution of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, which has partnered with the government in implementing interventions aimed at improving eye care services in the country.
Meanwhile, Acting Manager of the National Eye Care Program at the Ministry of Health, Eunice Headcraph, said implementation of the service is expected to begin immediately after the completion of training for specialists from Benjamin Mkapa Hospital, Muhimbili-Mloganzila Hospital and Mbeya Zonal Referral Hospital.
She emphasized the need for accountability and effective utilization of the equipment to ensure measurable outcomes.
“It is important for the specialists to ensure these devices are fully utilized while implementation goes hand in hand with submitting monthly reports showing the number of patients served, those diagnosed with complications, those treated and the types of treatment provided,” she said.
The latest development in eye care services comes as Tanzania continues to expand investment in specialized healthcare infrastructure and digital health technologies under broader efforts to position the country as a regional healthcare hub. Increased investment in preventive healthcare will automatically generate wider economic gains by improving population health, reducing treatment costs and strengthening human capital development – a critical pillar for sustaining long-term economic growth.
