title: Tanzania's health system and workforce crisis.
abstract: This introduction to Tanzania's health system and acute workforce shortage familiarizes readers with the context in which health professions education takes place. The paper touches on poverty rates, population growth, and characteristics of the health system. The critical shortage of trained health staff is a major challenge facing the health sector, aggravated by low motivation of the few available staff. Other challenges facing the health sector include lack of effective staff supervision, poor transport and communication infrastructure and shortage of drugs and medical equipment. We recommend appropriate action be taken by the government and other stakeholders to provide more financial and human resources for the sector while ensuring their efficient and effective utilization to improve services delivery.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Gideon
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kwesigabo
authors.forename: Mughwira A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Mwangu
authors.forename: Deodatus C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Kakoko
authors.forename: Ina
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Warriner
authors.forename: Charles A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Mkony
authors.forename: Japhet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Killewo
authors.forename: Sarah B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Macfarlane
authors.forename: Ephata E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Kaaya
authors.forename: Phyllis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Freeman
mesh_terms: D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006295:Health Resources / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D013636:Tanzania