Medical Tourism in Tanzania on the Rise Due to Healthcare Investments

Posted on : Wednesday , 4th June 2025

According to a cabinet minister, Tanzania is seeing a notable increase in medical tourism as a result of large government expenditures on healthcare services.

Over the last four years, the number of international patients seeking treatment in Tanzania has more than doubled, according to Minister of Health Jenista Mhagama, who spoke to parliament in the capital, Dodoma.

The number of foreign patients increased from 5,705 to 12,180 between 2021 and March 2025, she noted as she presented her ministry's budget plans for the fiscal year 2025–2026.

"These patients are coming from countries including the Comoros, Malawi, Burundi, Zambia, Rwanda, South Africa, Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, Egypt and Mauritius," Mhagama added.

According to her, the rise is indicative of Tanzania's healthcare industry's improving standing in the region, especially in the areas of orthopaedics, cardiology, cancer and other specialised sectors.

"The government's sustained investment in modern infrastructure, advanced medical technology and highly trained specialists is positioning Tanzania as a key destination for medical tourism in Africa." Mhagama stated.