Marking a monumental achievement in global health, the Governments of the United States and Tanzania recently celebrated the success of the six-year long Medicines, Technology, and Pharmaceuticals Services (MTaPS) project, a significant initiative undertaken by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The MTaPS program, with its funding of $11.4 million, has made a tremendous impact on the Tanzanian pharmaceutical landscape, notably by introducing sweeping improvements to the prescription of medicines and thus curtailing the spread of infectious diseases within medical institutions, ultimately saving myriad lives.
The project effectively increased the capacity of the Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices Authority (TMDA) to bolster the availability, safety, and effectiveness of medicinal treatments. In addition, it collaborated with the Ministry of Health to implement antimicrobial stewardship across 10 major hospitals. This vital step ensured the right medicines were prescribed for the appropriate diseases, a measure that led to improved patient outcomes and decreased the prevalence of drug-resistant bacteria.
Pharmacist Emiliana Francis and National Coordinator for Antimicrobial Resistance lauded the MTaPS project, proclaiming that it not only saved lives through its operational efficiency but also revolutionized healthcare practices in Tanzania. This innovative approach to healthcare has left an enduring footprint in the relentless fight against antimicrobial resistance.
A significant achievement of the USAID project has been to empower health facilities to take preventive and control measures against infections. This was achieved by implementing robust tracking and monitoring systems and providing extensive training opportunities. For instance, the education sector reaped benefits from the program, as evidenced by Mary Ranald, a tutor at Kibosho School of Nursing. She shared her positive experience with the infection prevention and control (IPC) online course, which equipped her with the most current IPC practices to impart to her students.
As we look to the future, the United States, through USAID, reaffirms its commitment to maintain the current level of dedication, collaboration, and partnership with the Tanzanian government and its people. Given the severe impact of drug-resistant bacteria, with over 1.3 million worldwide fatalities in 2019 – a higher death toll than HIV or malaria – such sustained efforts are crucial, particularly in the most affected regions like sub-Saharan Africa.