Project News

JICA's Triangular Cooperation Program, known as the "Program of Quality Improvement of Health Services by 5S-KAIZEN-TQM" has been implemented in 15 African countries since 2007 to improve quality of health services and hospital management. Tanzania has successfully expanded the approach to 56 hospitals to date, under the leadership of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MoHSW) with technical assistance from JICA's "Strengthening Development of Human Resources for Health" Project.

From November 19 to 23, 2012, the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation hosted the 2012 South-South Cooperation Expo in Vienna where representatives from national governments and international organizations gathered to discuss how South-South Cooperation can be effective, and to share their best practices. During the Expo, Tanzania's MoHSW has received the Solution Award as a model practice to help resolve issues in hospital management. Tanzania has been recognized as the best performer for its achievement of the 5S-KAIZEN-TQM approach among the 15 countries.

Dr. Mohamed Ally Mohamed, Director of Health Quality Assurance of the MoHSW, who has been promoting the "Program of Quality Improvement of Health Services by 5S-KAIZEN-TQM" in Tanzania, shared the positive experiences of implementing the innovative Program as it contributes to enhanced Asia-Africa cooperation and scaling up effects. Also present was Dr. Wimal Karandagoda of Sri Lanka, who first applied and implemented 5S-KAIZEN-TQM approach to the hospital setting in Sri Lanka, producing substantial improvement in hospital management.

As Tanzania welcomes study tours from its neighboring countries to learn from Tanzania's successful experiences, awarding of the Solution Award is expected to boost up the spirit of the Regional Hospitals and further encourage them to practice the 5S-KAIZEN-TQM approach to create positive work environment.

Dr. Mohamed A. Mohammed, Director, Health Quality Assurance Division presents 5S-KAIZEN-TQM experiences in Tanzania at the Expo

The Solution Award is handed over to Dr. Hussein Mwinyi, Minister of Health and Social Welfare