Date of publication:
08/22/2025
United Republic of Tanzania (the)
Do domestic laws and policies provide forcibly displaced and stateless persons with disabilities access to care, support and health care services?
Assessment by population
Analysis
Tanzania has a longstanding history of hosting refugees and asylum seekers, primarily from neighboring countries such as Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo. As of recent reports, the country accommodates over 240,000 refugees and asylum seekers, with more than 80% residing in the Nduta and Nyarugusu refugee camps located in the Kigoma region.
The Tanzanian government, in collaboration with international organizations like the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), strives to provide essential services to these populations, including health care and support services tailored to individuals with disabilities. The UNHCR's Multi-Year Strategy for Tanzania (2023–2025) emphasizes that forcibly displaced and stateless persons should enjoy fundamental rights and have access to essential services that meet their needs.
Related provisions of domestic law or policy
Persons with Disabilities Act
- Year: 2010
- Type: Domestic law
- Rights Category: Health
- Link to external source: https://www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2019/11/Tanzania_Persons-with-Disabilities-Act-2010.pdf
Legal provision
Section 26 - Health care and rehabilitation
Every person with a disability shall have the right to enjoy the attainable standard of health care services without any discrimination.
National Health Policy
- Year: 2017
- Type: Domestic policy
- Rights Category: Health
- Link to external source: https://www.eahealth.org/sites/www.eahealth.org/files/content/attachments/2018-07-23/Nationahealthpolicy_en.pdf
Legal provision
Section 3.3 - Organization of Public Health Care Delivery
The policy recommends strengthening the Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Committee (VHSNC) to offer good healthcare to the vulnerable sections of society like the marginalized, the socially excluded, the poor, the old and the disabled.