France and Tanzania Deepen Their Health Partnership

Posted on : Wednesday , 6th August 2025

Tanzania and France have agreed to keep up their close health sector cooperation, with a renewed emphasis on strengthening academic and research cooperation between their top universities, the University of Bordeaux and Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS), to tackle global health issues.

The French Ambassador to Tanzania, Anne Sophie Avé, spoke to students and MUHAS employees at a meeting hosted by MUHAS's Internationalisation and Convocation Unit in Dar es Salaam. She emphasised the importance of using institutional strengths and collective knowledge to address global health issues.

"We have a lot to learn from nations like Tanzania and we want to expand university collaboration in many areas, especially health," she stated.

"We are learning about diseases that are new to us by working with you; this is mutual learning, driven by shared challenges in a changing world," he continued.

But while praising MUHAS's efforts to develop young, highly skilled health workers, the diplomat also emphasised the value of investing in the next generation.

"Investing in the youth is investing in the future, as we believe that they are the future," the envoy stated.

Prof. Emmanuel Balandya, MUHAS Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics, highlighted the university's expansion and stated that since 1963, it has been a dependable centre for very significant research that has impacted national health policy and standards.

He went on to say that the organisation has trained more than 70% of Tanzania's Human Resources for Health (HRH) staff, significantly enhancing the country's capabilities.

"There are currently 119 academic programs offered by the university, including 16 undergraduate degrees, 95 postgraduate programs, and 8 diplomas," he stated.

"MUHAS takes pride in its ongoing international partnerships, especially with France," Prof. Balandya remarked, elaborating on the health sector cooperation between Tanzania and France.

"We have hosted elective French students who come to MUHAS to study and take part in various cultural activities, experiencing the beauty of our country, through the Internationalisation and Convocation Unit," he stated.

"France continues to sponsor a number of health initiatives hosted at MUHAS in the field of research. The French Embassy in Tanzania, as well as in Uganda, Kenya, and Ethiopia, funds initiatives like R'OHOKET, which tackles antibiotic resistance using a One Health Approach.