The Mkapa Foundation CEO opened the meeting with an overview of the timeline review of projects, financial partnerships and ongoing programs which have deployed over 11,047 healthcare workers (HCWs) categorized into 5,165 skilled HCWs and 5,882 community health workers (CHWs) deployed in villages and ward level. The efforts were complimented by construction of 482 staff houses, 18 theatres and maternity wards, 26 diagnostic sites and rehabilitation of 12 health facilities.

“For the past 17 years, the Mkapa Foundation has reached over 26 million beneficiaries in various underserved communities in Tanzanian mainland and Zanzibar. This exhibits the foundation’s wider reach as a result of our beneficial and long-lasting partnerships totaling TZS 260 billion.” Dr. Ellen Mkondya-Senkoro.

The Chairperson of the Mkapa Foundation Board of Trustees expressed the commitment of the Board in providing leadership guidance in mitigating the current challenges while spearheading a forward-thinking approach to grasp new opportunities. Dr. Kimambo also acknowledged the pledges made to the Mkapa Foundation’s Endowment Fund and encouraged those who are yet to fulfill theirs, to do so. She welcomed the stakeholders to participate in the upcoming Mkapa Legacy Symposium, which is set to convene after every two years, with the next one scheduled for July 2024.

Comments from the attending stakeholders ranged from congratulatory remarks on attainment of 17 years of success; commitments for the current and future projects, as well as a call for the Foundation to increase its pool of programs to include emerging health challenges including those related to nutrition.
The keynote address by Mkapa Foundation’s Settlor, H.E. Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi, covered his experience from when he was appointed as the Board Chair by the Late Benjamin Mkapa in 2006. He expounded on how the vision led by the Late Benjamin Mkapa continues to live on, in serving the underserved through the existing strong partnerships. He added further on the power of advocacy and the need for continued stronger strategic partnerships for the achievement of higher impact. He emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships in improving healthcare delivery and access in Tanzania. Dr. Mwinyi updated the participants on the progress of the Mkapa Health Plaza construction and the need for scalability of the Foundation’s impact to Zanzibar on similar undertakings. The Mkapa Health Plaza is a sustainability undertaking by the Foundation, through its business arm Imara Horizon Company (IHC).

Furthermore, Dr. Mwinyi acknowledged the unwavering support by H.E. Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan, the President of the United Republic of Tanzania for the ongoing initiatives to reach those in need, as undertaken by the Mkapa Foundation and other health actors in Tanzania.
“Together we can ensure the continuity of the foundation, and its work towards enhancing health services, reduce diseases and poverty”. H.E. Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi, Settlor of the Benjamin Mkapa Foundation.
He closed the meeting with an appeal to the existing and potential partners present at the meeting, to analyze the Mkapa Foundation’s programs, achievements and challenges over the past 17 years, in order to extract the different partnership opportunities available.