Where is Zanzibar?

Zanzibar lies in the Indian Ocean 35km off the coast of mainland Tanzania 6 degrees south of the equator. Comprising the islands of Unguja and Pemba, with a total population in excess of 1.1million, along with a number of similar islands and coral atolls.
Zanzibar’s climate is typically tropical with hot and humid weather most of the year with 2 rainy seasons.

The country consists of large tracts of forest and spice plantations and mile upon mile of white sandy beaches. Despite this, Zanzibar which is part of Tanzania is one of the poorest countries in the world with very high levels of infant and maternal mortality, malnutrition and both communicable and non-communicable diseases all of which are largely preventable.

What is the state of healthcare currently in Zanzibar?

• Life expectancy is 49 years.
• Greatest burden is preventable diseases i.e. malaria, pneumonia, diarrhoea, measles and malnutrition.
• 1 in 7 children die aged less than 7 – the majority are under 2 years old.
• Less than 50% of births attended by skilled attendants.
• 1 maternal death per 180 births.
• HIV/AIDS prevalence 8.8% on mainland Tanzania including 100,000 children.
• In Tanzania nationally, there are 125,000 deaths caused by malaria each year of which 80.000 are children.

Problems with the current health systems in Zanzibar

• Inadequate funding and prioritisation of health care.
• Only 1 referral hospital (Mnazi Moja in Stone Town.)
• There are 2 cottage hospitals on the main island of Zanzibar. These are Makunduchi and Kivunge. There are 3 district hospitals on the smaller island of Pemba.
• Chronic lack of trained doctors and nurses.
• Very poor staff morale and low salaries.
• Supply of drugs and medical supplies inadequate at all levels despite excellent work by Danida.
• Poor transport infrastructure

Back to top