Mapendekezo ya Mpango wa Maendeleo wa Taifa Unaokusudiwa Kutekelezwa na Serikali kwa Mwaka wa Fedha 2025/2026 na Mapendekezo ya Mwongozo wa Maandalizi ya Mpango na Bajeti ya Serikali kwa Mwaka wa Fedha 2025/2026

MHE. JESCA J. MSAMBATAVANGU: Mheshimiwa Mwenyekiti, contribution to Tanzania National Development Plan 2025/2026; The Importance of Mental Health in National Development.
Mheshimiwa Mwenyekiti, as Tanzania works towards its National Development Plan for 2025/2026, it is crucial to consider mental health as an integral component of national development. Mental health is not only a personal matter but a societal issue that affects social, economic, and physical well-being. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mental health is defined as a state of well-being where an individual realizes their own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively, and contribute to their community. Therefore, mental health is essential to fostering a productive, healthy and stable society, all of which are central to Tanzania’s development goals.

Mheshimiwa Mwenyekiti, mental health and its impact on development; mental health affects all aspects of society. Individuals with mental health challenges often experience poor economic outcomes, lower educational achievements, reduced productivity and increased rates of disability. Mental health issues can also lead to strained healthcare systems and significant social costs. This is particularly concerning in a developing country like Tanzania, where the population faces numerous socio-economic challenges, including poverty, unemployment, and limited access to quality healthcare services.

Furthermore, untreated mental health conditions can exacerbate social inequalities and hinder the realization of Tanzania’s sustainable development goals (SDGs), particularly in health (SDG 3), quality education (SDG 4), and decent work (SDG 8). To achieve a prosperous and equitable society, addressing mental health must become a priority.

Mheshimiwa Mwenyekiti, Performance Audit of Mental Health Services in Tanzania (2024 Report); in March 2024, the Controller and Auditor General (CAG) of Tanzania conducted a Performance Audit Report on the availability of mental health care services in the country. The audit revealed significant gaps in mental health care services, including limited access to mental health professionals, inadequate infrastructure, and a lack of public awareness about mental health issues. Key findings include:-
(i) Inadequate Mental Health Professionals: There is a severe shortage of trained mental health workers, including psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers, with many regions in Tanzania lacking such professionals entirely.

(ii) Limited Mental Health Infrastructure: Public health facilities often lack the necessary resources and infrastructure to provide adequate mental health care, such as specialized psychiatric wards or necessary medical equipment.

(iii) Stigma and Public Awareness: Mental health is often stigmatized in Tanzanian society, which leads to underreporting and untreated cases. There is a critical need for public awareness campaigns to reduce stigma and promote early intervention.

(iv) Funding and Budgetary Allocation: Mental health services are underfunded and the current national budget allocation for mental health is insufficient to address the growing demand for services.

Mheshimiwa Mwenyekiti, recommendations from the 2024 Performance Audit Report; the CAG's report outlined several key recommendations to improve mental health services in Tanzania:-

(i) Increased Investment in Mental Health Care: The government should allocate more funds to mental health services, including the expansion of psychiatric care infrastructure, hiring more mental health professionals and providing necessary training.

(ii) Public Awareness Campaigns: Launch national campaigns to raise awareness about mental health, reduce stigma and encourage early treatment.

(iii) Integration of Mental Health into Primary Health Care: Mental health services should be integrated into primary health care systems to make them more accessible in rural and underserved areas.

(iv) Strengthening Mental Health Policies: Review and update existing mental health policies to ensure they align with international best practices and address the evolving mental health needs of Tanzanians.

Mheshimiwa Mwenyekiti, recommendations for Inclusion in the National Development Plan and Budget 2025/2026; to ensure mental health is adequately addressed in Tanzania’s National Development Plan and Budget for 2025/2026, the following actions are recommended:-

(i) Allocate Adequate Budget for Mental Health: The government should allocate a specific percentage of the national health budget to mental health services. This would ensure that resources are dedicated to improving mental health infrastructure, hiring professionals and creating awareness campaigns.

(ii) Policy Implementation and Monitoring: Include mental health in national policies and establish a monitoring framework to track progress on the availability of mental health services. This should be linked to Tanzania’s overall development goals, ensuring that mental health is not sidelined.

(iii) Integration into Education and Workplace Programs: Mental health services should be integrated into schools, universities and workplaces to promote early detection and prevention. The national plan should also consider providing mental health education as part of the curriculum at various levels.

(iv) Public-Private Partnerships: Encourage collaboration between the public and private sectors to build and sustain mental health infrastructure. Private sector investment can help meet the growing demand for mental health services, especially in urban areas.
(v) Public Awareness Campaigns: Launch national campaigns to raise awareness about mental health, reduce stigma, and encourage early treatment. Let us make this a stepping Stone.

Mheshimiwa Mwenyekiti, conclusion; addressing mental health is vital for Tanzania's social and economic development. By incorporating the recommendations from the 2024 Performance Audit Report into the National Development Plan for 2025/2026, Tanzania can improve the mental health of its population, reduce the social stigma associated with mental illness and create a more productive, healthy and prosperous society. Mental health is not merely a healthcare issue but a development issue and its prioritization in national planning will be essential for the success of Tanzania's growth and prosperity in the coming decades.