FAMILY MEDICINE TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT IN TANZANIA
Dr. Eric Aghan
MUHAS Family Medicine Consultant
Director, SEET Family Medicine Development and
Research Centre
Head of Tanzanian Family Medicine Working Group
WHAT IS FAMILY MEDICINE ?
Family medicine is a medical specialty that provides continuing and comprehensive health care for individuals and families across all ages,
genders, diseases, and parts of the body, within the community and linked with community wellness and prevention.
Family Medicine combines primary care for all ages, with strong psychosocial and preventive care.
Family Medicine doctors are able to provide quality primary care for 80-90% of all patients.
BEST FITS W.H.O "FIVE STAR DOCTOR"
Care-provider
Decision-maker
Communicator
Community leader and Manager
WHY DOES TANZANIA NEED FAMILY MEDICINE?
Tanzania is moving quickly to universal health coverage in line with UN & W.H.O declarations
Non-communicable and other complex medical conditions needing continuity of care are rapidly emerging outpacing the NPC reliance
Quality clinical care needs to be substantially improved, especially at the district and Health Center levels
Study to identify the non-responding health indicators shows In-hospital mortality at regional and tertiary levels are high due to dysfunctional referral system at the primary care level.
THE RESOLUTION WHY TANZANIA NEED SCHOOL MEDICINE
"The Resolution underscores the role of strong primary health care in ensuring countries can provide the full range of health services necessary throughout a person’s life."
The resolution also for more action of NCDs "On non-communicable diseases (NCDs), Member States agreed on a decision to accelerate and scale up action on NCDs and to meet global targets to reduce the number of people drying from NCDs like cancer, diabetes and heart and lung diseases.". A new cadre of health care provider (i.e Family Doctor) is needed to help the GOVT meet the above goals.
FAMILY MEDICINE PROGRESS
The Aga Khan University, MMed in Family Medicine since 2004
Tanzanian Commission for Universities (TCU) approved MMED Family Medicine training program at Aga Khan 2004
Medical Council of Tanganyika (MCT) recognized Family Medicine graduates as specialists in 2010
The AKU hosted a national/international conference to defining Tanzanian FM competencies in 2020.
FM team presented to the NHIF team in Dodoma 2020
FM team met with Minister for Health Hon. Ummy Mwalimu 2021
MUHAS, FMWG and international partners held MUHAS FM curriculum consultative forum in 2022.
MUHAS held FM Curriculum convention in January 2023.
LOCAL PARTNERS
Dr Peter Wangwe – Dean MUHAS School of Medicine
Dr Enica Richards – Principal MUHAS School of Medicin
Prof. Paschal Ruggajo – Director Curative Services, Ministry of Health
Dr Riaz Ratansi – Head of Department FM, the Aga Khan University
Dr Eric Aghan- Director SEET FM Development and Research Centre/ MUHAS FM Consultant
INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS
Distinguished Prof. Bob Mash, University of Stellenbosch
Prof. Donatus Mutasingwa, University of Toronto
Prof. Shabir Moosa, WONCA Africa President
Prof. Shailey Prasad, University of Minnesota
Dr Bryan Johnston, University of Wisconsin
Dr Henry Ziegler, President Health Tanzania Foundation
Dr Esther Johnston, The Wright Center National Family Medicine Residency at HealthPoint, USA
THE WAY FORWARD 1
FM Planning Year for MUHAS FM development 2023-2024
Identify MUHAS FM Department faculty and structure.
Complete national FM curriculum.
Obtain TCU approval for MUHAS FM MMED training program.
Identify resources for clinical and teaching: MUHAS, BAHC and Kisarawe.
THE WAY FORWARD 2
Establish Multi-University FM Development and Research Centre at SEET
Formalize multi-university-SEET agreements for Centre.
Public Universities participation in Centre.
Identify International FM Department partners
Ongoing Virtual FM research forum and development discussions
Digital library FM articles and initiatives
THE WAY FORWARD 3
Plan Family Medicine Rollout 2023-2024
Joint planning: MOH departments (Planning, Curative, Prevention), public universities, Family Medicine Centre
Examine blended in-community FM training models:-telemedicine, monitoring, and teaching visits
Role out plan for FM training at district and health center training hubs
FM team with Minister for Health: Dr Aghan Eric, Dr Nuru Kondo, Dr Judith Mwijage, Dr Riaz Ratansi and Dr Nakiganda Mkasa
