Strengthening Primary Health Care: Tanzania’s Model for Inclusive Assistive Technology Access

The WHO-led project in Tanzania’s Morogoro region trained 179 health workers and supplied over 14,700 assistive products to integrate assistive technology into primary health care. It successfully improved community access, built national capacity, and influenced policy for inclusive, sustainable health services.

The report “Improving Access to Assistive Technology in the United Republic of Tanzania, produced jointly by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Ministry of Health of the United Republic of Tanzania, and HelpAge Tanzania, documents a transformative initiative to expand access to assistive technology in the Morogoro region. Supported by the Global Disability Innovation Hub through the AT2030 programme and backed by in-kind donations from the Latter-Day Saints Charities, the project sought to build the capacity of Tanzania’s community and primary health systems to deliver essential assistive products. The collaboration represents a crucial stride toward universal health coverage, where access to assistive technology (AT) becomes integral to public health rather than a luxury for the few.

Bridging a Widening Gap in Assistive Technology

Assistive technology includes devices and systems that support people in maintaining or improving their functional independence, items as simple as walking frames, reading glasses, or pill organizers. Across Africa, over 200 million people currently require at least one assistive product, a number that is projected to double by 2050. Yet, only 15–25% of those in need have access to such products. In light of this reality, Tanzania’s Ministry of Health requested WHO’s assistance to integrate assistive technology into the country’s primary health care network. WHO responded by introducing its Training in Assistive Products (TAP) programme, which equips community and primary health personnel with the skills to identify individuals needing assistive devices, provide basic items, and refer complex cases to higher-level care facilities.

Training the Workforce for a New Health Role

The pilot project was conducted in two districts of the Morogoro region, Mvomero, a rural district, and Morogoro Municipal Council, an urban one, to test the model’s adaptability. Its goal was to strengthen the capacity of health workers to deliver AT services and establish referral pathways linking communities to health centres and hospitals. The Ministry of Health’s Medical Stores Department facilitated the distribution of assistive products, ensuring the foundation for a sustainable supply chain.

Training formed the cornerstone of the project. A total of 179 health personnel, including nurses, clinical officers, and community-based care providers, received training through WHO’s TAP modules, supported by 14 mentors from secondary health facilities. The sessions blended online learning with role-playing exercises and practical demonstrations. Community workers were trained to identify and refer individuals in need, while primary health care staff learned to assess, prescribe, and provide selected assistive products. The results were striking: participants with no prior knowledge of AT showed major improvements in skills, confidence, and service quality. The mentorship model further strengthened capacity, creating a cadre of national mentors ready to sustain and expand TAP training across Tanzania.

Bringing Life-Changing Products to Communities

The Ministry of Health selected 25 assistive products based on the WHO Priority Assistive Products List. Over 14,700 products meeting WHO standards were procured and distributed to 31 health facilities. These covered four main domains: mobility, vision, self-care, and cognition. Common items included walking sticks, crutches, walking frames, therapeutic footwear, reading glasses, magnifiers, shower and toilet chairs, and pill organizers. The products quickly began transforming lives, particularly for older adults, accident survivors, people with disabilities, and those managing chronic illnesses such as diabetes.

Community awareness was another critical element. Advocacy campaigns, featuring posters and outreach in village markets, helped spread information about available services. Health workers reported that referral pathways connecting communities to primary and district facilities were the single most important factor for ensuring sustained access. Affordable pricing was also emphasized by participants as essential for long-term adoption.

Policy Integration and National Impact

Beyond direct service delivery, the project had a powerful policy impact. It revealed the scale of unmet need for assistive products in Tanzania and the importance of embedding AT in national health strategies. Stakeholders emphasized the need to expand product availability, include AT items in the essential medicines and equipment lists, and integrate AT into the primary health care service package. The insights gained are now informing Tanzania’s national plans for equitable and sustainable access to assistive technology.

The project’s success lies in its combination of community empowerment and systemic reform. By integrating training, mentorship, supply chain development, and policy dialogue, it demonstrated that meaningful change is possible even in resource-limited settings. By 2023, the benefits were already visible: individuals walking again with new mobility aids, older people reading independently, and communities gaining renewed hope for inclusion.

A Model for Africa’s Future

The Tanzanian experience stands as a proof of concept for scaling assistive technology across the African continent. Through the collaboration of WHO, the Ministry of Health, HelpAge Tanzania, and international partners, the project not only provided essential products but also built a sustainable framework for human resource development and policy alignment. It redefined primary health care as a gateway to independence and dignity for people with functional difficulties. The Morogoro pilot illustrates how partnerships, training, and community engagement can bridge the accessibility gap, offering a replicable model for countries seeking to make assistive technology a cornerstone of inclusive health systems across Africa.