Tanzania is experiencing significant growth in medical tourism, driven by major government investments in healthcare services, a cabinet minister announced Monday.
Minister of Health Jenista Mhagama told parliament in the capital, Dodoma, that the number of foreign patients seeking treatment in Tanzania has more than doubled over the past four years.
Between 2021 and March 2025, the number of international patients rose from 5,705 to 12,180, she said while presenting her ministry’s budget proposals for the 2025/2026 financial year.
“These patients are coming from countries including the Comoros, Malawi, Burundi, Zambia, Rwanda, South Africa, Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, Egypt, and Mauritius,” said Mhagama.
The increase reflects the growing regional reputation of Tanzania’s healthcare sector, particularly in oncology, cardiology, orthopedics, and other specialized fields, she said.
“The government’s sustained investment in modern infrastructure, advanced medical technology, and highly trained specialists is positioning Tanzania as a key destination for medical tourism in Africa,” Mhagama added.