CBM in Tanzania

Dream beaches on the Indian Ocean, the snow-capped mountain peaks of Kilimanjaro, the great lakes, and the world-famous Serengeti National Park - Tanzania is a place that many people long for. This beautiful country is also one of the world's poorest countries, with the majority of the poor living in rural areas.

Economic hardships dominate everyday life

Heri Shaban suffered a traumatic cataract in his right eye due to an accident.

Poverty is widespread in Tanzania: nearly half of the population lives on only 1.90 US dollars per day.

Almost half of the population lives on less than USD 1.90 a day³, and only 61 per cent has access to drinking-quality water (UNICEF, 2017/Water, sanitation and hygiene).

30 years of economic downturn leave a mark

One reason for this difficult situation is the enduring impact of socialism, which began with independence from Great Britain at the start of the 1960s. This led to an economic downturn that lasted for over 30 years and continues to have a profound effect on the country today.

Efforts are not enough

Although the Tanzanian government has succeeded in boosting the economy since the end of the socialist economic and social system in the 1990s, its efforts have not translated to poverty reduction. This is particularly true for the rural population, which makes up almost 70 per cent of the total population experiencing poverty.

Modern eye care for those with visual impairment

Ein Mann schaut durch ein Augenuntersuchungsgerät in die Augen eines Kindes.

Die Augenklinik des KCMC - Hilfe für Augenpatienten in Tansania Hilfsprojekt in Afrika

Accessing healthcare in rural areas is challenging, leading to increased risk of disability. Over three million Tanzanians have a disability, with many cases attributed to eye diseases, which are among the top ten causes of illness in the country.

Help for eight million people

Since 1971, CBM has supported the eye department of the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) in Moshi, northern Tanzania, to help many people with eye diseases. Today, the KCMC provides comprehensive and modern eye health services for a catchment area of 8 million people.

More field operations and mobile operations

To reach even more people in the future, the KCMC's eye department is increasingly focusing on field missions to remote villages to identify as many people with eye diseases as possible. In addition, mobile operations in partner hospitals are also planned.

Impressions of the country and its people

Tanzania has excellent biodiversity. It has 16 protected national parks, covering more than a quarter of the country's area. Four of the national parks are UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the world-famous Serengeti. Since 1960, religious affiliation has no longer been officially recorded in censuses. It is estimated that 40 percent of Tanzanians are Muslim, particularly in the coastal areas and the north. Almost 70 per cent of Tanzanians live in small villages countrywide - mostly in simple conditions. Bustling activity at market stalls along the road in Moshi. Most people in Tanzania have never seen an ophthalmologist. Accordingly, there is a significant need for CBM field mobile clinics and community health workers in remote villages. Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa. The Glacier water of Kilimanjaro feeds the Kilasia waterfalls on the outskirts of the Marangu village.

Tanzania at a glance

Modern skyscrapers and slums stand side by side: The Tanzanian seat of government Dar es Salaam is a city full of contrasts.

Area: 947,300 km² ¹
Population: 65.5 million²
Capital: nominally Dodoma, the de facto seat of government and economic centre Dar es Salaam
Climate: alternating humid tropical climate with distinct dry and rainy seasons
Languages: Official language: Kiswahili, language of education and communication: English
Religion: 40 per cent Muslims, 40 per cent Christians, 20 per cent followers of traditional African religions
Life expectancy: 66.2 years (DEU: 80.6)³
Infant mortality rate: 47 per 1,000 (DEU: 4 per 1,000)¹
Human Development Index: ranked 160 out of 191³

Sources: ¹World Bank country data 2021; ²World Bank country data 2022; ³Human Development Index Report 2021/22