In honoring the legacy of His Excellency, the Late Benjamin William Mkapa, the Benjamin William Mkapa Foundation, in collaboration with the Government of Tanzania, successfully hosted the National Human Resources for Health (HRH) Conference on 14–15 July 2026 in Dar es Salaam, ahead of the High-Level Mkapa Legacy Summit held on 16 July 2026.

The first day of the conference was dedicated to Youth, placing young people at the forefront of discussions on shaping the future of Tanzania’s health workforce. This special focus provided a platform for youth voices, innovation, and leadership, highlighting the critical role of young people in addressing both current and emerging health challenges.

The conference brought together policymakers, health professionals, development partners, academics, researchers, and young leaders to reflect on Tanzania’s progress in strengthening its health workforce and to identify opportunities for addressing remaining gaps in human resources for health. Discussions emphasized the importance of building a stronger and more resilient health system capable of delivering quality, accessible, and equitable healthcare to all Tanzanians.

Participants also explored global and national strategies for addressing the persistent shortage of healthcare workers and advancing Universal Health Coverage. The conference underscored the need for sustained investment in health professionals, innovative workforce solutions, and inclusive approaches that actively engage the next generation of health leaders.

Through collaborative dialogue, knowledge sharing, and joint commitments, the National HRH Conference 2026 served as an important platform for shaping the future of healthcare in Tanzania and strengthening partnerships across generations and sectors