SPEECH BY HON. OTHMAN MASOUD OTHMAN

Good morning to you all!

It is my pleasure and great honour to address this august gathering in marking our thoughtful gratitude to a person who transformed our country in many aspects through his leadership that embraced with economic, social and political reforms; His Excellency, Late Benjamin William Mkapa.
This day has brought us together to reflect on his efforts to improve the performance of the health sector, which is a shining light of hope to all Tanzanians especially those who live in remote and underserved areas.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today we are gathered to celebrate and commemorate the Legacy of His Excellency, Late Benjamin William Mkapa for the second time since he left us. These two days will be used to honor his life and embrace his vision on improving the social economic fortunes to get millions of our women and men quality health services.

His Excellency Late Benjamin William Mkapa pursued economic recovery programs, robust macroeconomic policies coupled with structural reforms and the privatization policy initiated by his predecessor.
His administration achieved macroeconomic fundamentals, which in turn had boosted investor confidence in the country and in the government. It was due to those efforts that today we are gathering here to make these reflections and strategize on the role of private sector in bringing about socio-economic development through investments in health sector.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Late President Mkapa, played a central role in strengthening accountability institutions, transforming the public sector which consequently incentivized the growth of the private sector.
I have been informed that through this platform, participants are going to discuss and share the policy and strategic views on building resilient social economic development policies and systems, while enhancing social protection for health, through mutual strategic partnerships between our governments (both Nationally and Internationally), Development Partners, Private Sector, Non-State Actors and Communities.
We know that, two days platform is not enough for exposing all the legendry contributions by His Excellency Late Benjamin Mkapa pertaining to these aspects of socio-economic development, but do hope the quality assertive discussions will activate us courageously into following his sense of pragmatism and the sense of direction.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Our two governments, [Zanzibar government and the Government of the United Republic] recognize the role of private sector to accelerate social economic development and attain Sustainable Development Goals in our Country. It is from such understanding that the two governments are redefining and institutionalizing our strategic partnership with private sectors and Non-state Actors in the implementation of strategic government priorities so as to embrace the vision of Late Mkapa in Public Private Partnership (PPP) Policy.
Together, we have made a strong foundation for PPP and in consolidating the gains made in various sectors, the two governments continue to commit to support the investment of private sector in accelerating the economy by setting good policies, review our governance and leadership structures, supporting innovations and creating conducive working environment for mutual benefits of all parties. This has enormously proven to be of beneficial consequence.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The governments recognize that, greater private sector and Non State Actor’s participation through Business Coalition and PPPs in providing efficient, reliable and affordable services, is fundamental for broad based growth and sustainable health services.
Despite several significant gains in our economic and social sector, our country in defining its vision on PPP by inviting more strategic investment from the financial sector to invest in health and support in other multisectoral priority areas especially the health services. This will help to address among other things, the change of health issues pattern we are all witnessing today on increased cases of Non-Communicable Disease, high death rates of women and children and weak systems in addressing epidemics and in preparedness for disaster management. Various health system challenges such as limited access to health care due to weak infrastructure capacity, human resource for health shortage, limited access to relevant health technologies, plus many others, are some of the key problems that hinder the progress to achieve Universal Health Coverage. That is where the relevance of the dialogue to be conducted through this forum lie.
I believe that through the dialogues that are going to be done today, our country will make use of the constructive recommendations to address barriers towards attainment of Universal Health Coverage and overall social economic development. It is from that background I take this opportunity to express our sincere appreciation to the Benjamin Mkapa Foundation, for being a strategic partner in Health Sector. Through its initiatives and dedication, we have witnessed their significant contribution in health system performance especially in infrastructure, human resources for health development and deployment aiming at accelerating delivery of quality health services in areas with high demand of health services both in Mainland and Zanzibar.
Undoubtedly, the Foundation has so far lived by the creed, aptitude and legacy of the man who we so much revere, the man who wrote his own obituary, Benjamin William Mkapa.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Government will continue to provide an appropriate enabling environment to guide public and private sectors, donor community and other stake-holders in PPPs on health, and invest on innovative workable solutions that will transform health care systems particularly for our women and children, and reaching out the underserved population.
We highly appreciate the Late Benjamin William Mkapa for his vision that established this foundation which contributed to the legacy we are celebrating today.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Let me conclude by words of H.E President Mkapa on his keynote speech during the SADC Public Lecture in 2019, that ‘we must resist the temptation to build walls and not bridges. The adage that “good fences make good neighbors” is antithetical to the common destiny and common route we have chosen for ourselves’.
And with these few remarks, please ALLOW ME TO OFFICIALLY OPEN OUR FIRST DAY OF MKAPA LEGACY SYMPOSIUM COMMEMORATION, and I Wish you all a pleasant moment.