By Veronica Mrema
The architecture of Tanzania’s Parliament is distinctive. Its unique design, intricate carvings and carefully crafted interior reflect the thought and purpose invested in the building.
But Parliament is more than the building itself. Beyond its walls are decisions that shape the direction of the country and affect the lives of its people.
Public health does not begin and end in hospitals, medicines or with doctors treating patients. Behind these services are policies, laws, budgets and national decisions, including those made in Parliament.
This is why 53 participants from Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro, Pwani and Singida visited the Parliament of Tanzania through AIDF.
To gaining a closer understanding of how the institution works and how its decisions connect with the wider community.
AIDF, is the Africa Initiative Development Foundation, is a non-governmental organization focused on serving communities in various areas that affect public health.
Its activities include promoting and encouraging safe blood donation, maternal and child health, the use of clean cooking energy, sanitation and environmental conservation, among others.
On October 28, 2026, the participants, during the visit, had an opportunity to learn about the history of Parliament, how it operates and the role of citizens in the democratic system.
The visit opened another dimension of understanding: when issues concerning the health of citizens reach Parliament, they require representation, questions, data and policies that can change people's lives.
Among the issues explained during the visit was how Members of Parliament use their position to question the Government about the implementation of various matters affecting citizens, including health services.
Senior Hansard Reporter , Patson Sobha, said Members of Parliament have a procedure for submitting questions before Parliament begins its sessions.
The step helps the Government prepare accurate responses. According to Sobha, the questions are submitted 21 days before Parliament begins.
This gives experts in the relevant sectors time to search for the necessary documents and information, particularly statistics, enabling ministers and deputy ministers to provide accurate and comprehensive responses.
The procedure makes data an important part of national discussions because when an MP's question requires answers about the state of services or the implementation of policies, the responses require accurate information.
An MP who receives an answer is also allowed to ask a supplementary question, but Sobha says the supplementary question must remain within the context of the original question and should not shift to an unrelated matter.
Participants were also informed about the procedure for asking the Prime Minister spontaneous questions and how the process is conducted in Parliament.
From a health perspective, this understanding is important because many issues affecting citizens, from access to medicines and maternal and child health services to non-communicable diseases.
Safe blood and emergency services, involve the implementation of policies and Government decisions that can be raised by elected representatives.
100 YEAR's
The visit comes as Tanzania moves towards commemorating 100 years since the establishment of Parliament.
This gave participants an opportunity to learn about the history of the institution and understand how it has evolved to reach its current form.
The training also covered the separation of powers among the three main arms of the State: Parliament, the Government and the Judiciary, and how each arm carries out its responsibilities.
For many participants, it was more than simply visiting the Parliament building. It was an opportunity to understand where laws are debated and enacted.
It was also an opportunity to see how representatives of the people present issues and how the Government is held accountable for the implementation of various matters, as the participants were present in Parliament and witnessed what was taking place.
Sobha encouraged young people and women not to fear coming forward to contest parliamentary seats so that they can have an opportunity to represent citizens.
The message was accompanied by advice to young people seeking employment not to fear applying for positions when they possess the required qualifications.
Sobha said applicants should have confidence in themselves and rely on their professional qualifications, explaining that interview processes consider a person's professional ability rather than having a “connection” or knowing someone.
AIDF IN PARLIAMENT
AIDF Director Joel Temba said the visit followed an invitation by the Secretary General of Parliament to Tanzanians, who provided guidance on how they could submit applications.
“We are very grateful to him. We saw his announcement and wrote a letter requesting an opportunity to learn about Parliament and how it carries out various activities for the nation,” Temba said.
Temba said AIDF and its partners have been carrying out activities aimed at improving people's lives, with one of the areas they give priority being the promotion of safe blood donation.
“Blood cannot be obtained from a factory; it comes from the human body,” Temba said, emphasizing the importance of citizens coming forward to donate blood.
During the visit, AIDF was also accompanied by safe blood donation champions, including two individuals who have broken records by donating blood more than 100 times.
According to Temba, blood donation is an act of patriotism because one unit of blood can help save the lives of up to four adults.
For children, one unit can help save approximately six children, depending on their medical needs.
He said these efforts support the Government's efforts under President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan to save the lives of mothers and children as well as other patients who require blood.
These include people living with sickle cell disease, cancer patients, accident victims and other patients in need of blood.
Temba said AIDF recently launched a programme to reach leaders of various institutions to promote blood donation, with plans also underway to reach Members of Parliament.
“We have started a programme to reach leaders of various institutions. We also want to reach Members of Parliament,” he said.
He said the organization has been conducting awareness activities in schools, colleges, communities and through the media.
Also part of the delegation was the author of this article, Veronica Mrema, who uses her platform, M24 TANZANIA, to educate the public about health issues.
Veronica is also among the few women in Tanzania who voluntarily donate blood and has been recognized by the Eastern Zone Blood Transfusion Services (EZBTS) as a Safe Blood Ambassador.
“Veronica has been effectively using her profession to educate the public about various diseases, how to prevent them and their treatment, including sickle cell disease and other diseases,” Temba said.
Temba hinted at AIDF's intention to promote safe blood donation and provide education on non-communicable diseases to Members of Parliament.
PARLIAMENT IS YOURS
Sobha emphasized that AIDF's initiative to bring its members to Parliament is a good one and should be continued.
He directed the AIDF leadership to submit its request letter early to seek an opportunity to reach Members of Parliament so that it can be handled through the appropriate procedures.
For the young people who were part of the delegation, the opportunity has helped remove some of the misconceptions they previously had about Parliament and their role in national affairs.
Clara Joseph from AIDF Dar es Salaam said the training had given her a deeper understanding of the history of Parliament and increased her motivation to be patriotic to her country.
“Young people have a lot that we do not know. When you go on social media, we complain, but today I have learned something important. I encourage others to ask to visit Parliament,” Joseph said.
For the participants, the key lesson was that citizens' understanding of national institutions is part of building their participation in development.
From a public health perspective, this understanding is even more important because decisions about health are not made only in hospitals.
Laws, policies, budgets and Government accountability play a major role in determining what happens.
They influence the services citizens receive, the medicines available to them, how emergency systems operate and how people with special health needs are supported.
In that context, the visit was not simply a journey for AIDF participants to learn about the history of Parliament as the country approaches its 100th anniversary.
It was also a journey to understand where the voice of the community can reach and how citizens can participate in decisions that affect their lives.
From the perspective of health, the message remains one Health is policy, and policy is life.
Chapisha Maoni