INTRODUCTION

The Christian Social Services, CSSC, Health department coordinates health services in Tanzania operating under the Tanzanian Episcopal Conference and the Catholic Council of Tanzania. According to recent statistics of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, MoHSW, Churches provide about 40% of all health services in the country. Services facilitated by CSSC account for over 700 health facilities, including 88 hospitals, 68 health centres and over 600 dispensaries. Among the 88 hospitals are 2 Consultant and Teaching hospitals, 24 Designated District Hospitals and 1 specialized HIV/AIDS centre.

Objectives
At CSSC the health department consists of (a) the Technical Support Services, and (b) the Policy Advocacy and Research. Both follow three clearly defined strategies:
1. Advocacy and Lobbying
• Improve the delivery of quality health services
2. Capacity Building
• Develop a Human Resource Development Strategy for the health sector at all levels
3. Managing Partnerships and institutional strengthening
• Strengthen public private partnerships, (PPP), between Government and church run health facilities in the Zones

Activities

Technical Support Services
• Conducting trainings, seminars and workshops to build up the capacity of the health institution to render quality health services to the population served
• Disburse scholarships in support of staff training

Policy Advocacy and Research
• Representing church facilities in various forums and policy formulating committees at National and District level
• Lobbying at government and stakeholder level for support to church run health facilities on behalf of CSSC members (TEC & CCT) and other Faith Based Organizations (FBOs)
• Contributing to Zonal Policy Forum (ZPF) meetings where church leaders deliberate policy issues related to the delivery of health and social services
• Identifying relevant areas for operational research on health programs
• Promoting and facilitating operational researches
• Developing and disseminating guidelines of best practices from research results
• Promoting partnerships between FBOs and the Government in planning, allocation of resources and implementation of activities at district/ council level
• Coordinating PPP activities in the regions and organizing regional PPP meetings, where public and private bodies discuss issues pertaining health services

Contact:The Director, CSSC, P.O BOX 9433, Dar Es Salaam, Tel.: +255 22 211 2918/ 212 3730/ 213 6720. Email: cssc@cssc.or.tz