Tanzania

Tanzania has experienced economic growth for several years, yet poverty levels remain high. Large segments of the population have so far benefited little from these advances, particularly in rural areas.

Everyday poverty and inadequate medical care

Education and access to high-quality healthcare are fundamental human rights. However, in Tanzania, as in many low-income countries, these rights are still not sufficiently guaranteed. Infrastructure remains underdeveloped in many areas, especially in rural regions, and many households lack access to safe drinking water, sanitation, or electricity.

The health care system is also unable to adequately meet the needs of the population, due in part to a shortage of well-trained medical professionals and adequately equipped health facilities. Although more than 80% of the population has a health facility within reasonable reach, the quality of care and the level of equipment remain insufficient. In rural areas in particular, many people lack continuous access to safe drinking water. The consequences of this underprovision are reflected, among other things, in high maternal and child mortality rates.

Due to rapid population growth, the country has not been able to significantly reduce poverty despite positive economic development.

Following the presidential elections in October 2025, nationwide protests, a multi-day internet shutdown, and violent repression occurred, placing significant strain on the country’s political and economic stability.

In numbers: The situation in Tanzania

  • Around one quarter of the population lives below the national poverty line; multidimensional poverty is far more widespread
  • More than 20% of the population suffers from undernutrition
  • More than 30% of children are chronically malnourished
  • The maternal mortality rate stands at 432 deaths per 100,000 live births

Own locations and training of specialist staff

Since the early years of action medeor, Tanzania has been one of the core countries of our commitment. While healthcare facilities in the country were initially supplied from the medicine warehouse in Tönisvorst, action medeor founded action medeor International Healthcare gGmbH in 2004, laying the foundation for its own action medeor location in Tanzania. Today, action medeor Tanzania has its own medicine warehouses, a production facility for laboratory reagents and a training center for medical technicians.

In addition to our work in the branches of action medeor Tanzania, the focus of our work in the country is on the training of pharmaceutical professionals: In various projects, action medeor works together with universities and pharmaceutical colleges, provides scholarships for master's students of pharmacy and is committed to improving pharmaceutical training in the country.

Your donation helps!

With your donation for the work of action medeor, you help us to provide people in countries like Tanzania with access to healthcare and to strengthen the training of medical and pharmaceutical professionals - for a better future!

Donate Health

Your donation enables us to provide medical care to people in crisis and disaster regions.

Donate Now

Page 1 of 2

Donate now