Togolani Mavura, Tanzania’s ambassador to the Republic of Korea, has urged medical facilities there to seize the opportunity in the health sector that exists by leveraging the robust bilateral relations between their country and Tanzania.
Opportunities include increasing interest in internationalization and Africanization among Korean academics, doubling Korea’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) to Africa from $5 billion to $10 billion, and implementing Knowledge Sharing Programs (KSPs).
The ambassador spoke with Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) personnel, students, and alumni on Monday in Dar es Salaam during a special conversation.
The Internationalization and Convocation Unit of MUHAS organized the discussion, which was centered on the potential for cooperation and training, research, and health-related fields between Tanzanian and Korean institutions.
According to the diplomat, President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s directions to enhance health diplomacy are well-aligned with the current topic.
In order to obtain advanced training possibilities for health sector professionals at international health science universities, President Samia assigned the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation the duty of developing a health diplomacy plan.
In reference to the two nations’ bilateral ties, the envoy stated that Tanzania and Korea have long collaborated in the field of health, particularly in the area of health infrastructure. She also stated that, aside from infrastructure, it is now imperative to investigate new avenues for collaboration between Tanzanian and Korean institutions in the fields of health, research, and training.
At the moment, Tanzania and the Republic of Korea’s partnership is mostly concentrated on health infrastructure. It’s time to move forward now, he said.
Among the noteworthy health initiatives carried out by Korea in Tanzania are the Binguni Hospital in Zanzibar and the Chanika Child and Maternal Health Improvement Project.
Amb Mavura elaborated, praising the University for including Tanzania on its map of the world university rankings.
In the Sub-Saharan University rankings for 2023, MUHAS is placed third, and it is ranked fifth among the finest institutions in Africa.
Prof. Appolinary Kamuhabwa, Vice-Chancellor of MUHAS, stated that the university presently collaborates internationally with over 100 nations.
Prof. Kamuhabwa continued, saying that MUHAS will keep looking at new prospects abroad in order to keep elevating the institution’s standing.
