INTRODUCTION

The internet is evolving from Web 2, where users interact with centralized platforms and services, to Web 3, where users have more control over their data, identity, and digital assets. Web 3 promises to enable more innovation, inclusion, and empowerment for people and communities across the world.

Tanzania is a country in East Africa with a population of about 60 million people. Tanzania faces many challenges in its health sector, such as low health spending, inadequate infrastructure, shortage of health workers, and high burden of diseases. According to the World Bank, Tanzania's life expectancy at birth was 65.5 years in 2019, which is below the global average of 72.6 years. Tanzania also had a maternal mortality ratio of 524 per 100,000 live births, and an under-five mortality rate of 49 per 1,000 live births in 2019, which are among the highest in the world.

However, Tanzania also has many opportunities and initiatives to leverage the potential of Web 3 to improve its health sector. In this article, we will explore some of the examples and impacts of Web 3 on the health sector in Tanzania.

WEB 3 FOR HEALTH FINANCING

One of the key challenges in the health sector in Tanzania is the lack of adequate and sustainable financing. According to the Ministry of Health, only 14% of the population is covered by health insurance, and out-of-pocket payments account for 36% of the total health expenditure. This means that many people face financial barriers to access health services, and are at risk of falling into poverty due to health shocks.

Web 3 can offer new ways of mobilizing and managing health funds, by using blockchain technology to create transparent, secure, and efficient platforms for health financing. For example:

• M-TIBA: This is a mobile health wallet that allows users to save, send, and receive money for health care. M-TIBA uses blockchain technology to ensure that the funds are only used for health purposes, and to provide real-time data and feedback to users, providers, and donors. M-TIBA has partnered with various stakeholders, such as the National Health Insurance Fund, PharmAccess Foundation, and CarePay, to expand its reach and impact. As of June 2021, M-TIBA had over 7 million registered users, and had facilitated over 3.5 million health transactions.

• SureRemit: This is a global non-cash remittance platform that allows users to send and receive vouchers for essential services, such as health, education, and utilities. SureRemit uses blockchain technology to reduce the cost and friction of remittances, and to ensure that the funds are used for the intended purposes. SureRemit also has its own cryptocurrency, called RMT, which is used to power the transactions on its platform. SureRemit has partnered with various merchants and service providers in Tanzania, such as Halotel, Vodacom, and AAR Healthcare, to offer its users a wide range of options

WEB 3 FOR HEALTH DATA

Another key challenge in the health sector in Tanzania is the lack of reliable and timely health data. According to the Ministry of Health, only 54% of the health facilities report their data on time, and only 66% of the data is complete and accurate. This affects the quality of health services, planning, and decision-making.

Web 3 can offer new ways of collecting, storing, and sharing health data, by using blockchain technology to create decentralized, immutable, and verifiable platforms for health data. For example:

• AfyaChain: This is a blockchain-based platform that aims to improve the health supply chain management in Tanzania. AfyaChain uses smart contracts to track and verify the movement of health commodities, such as medicines, vaccines, and equipment, from the source to the point of delivery. AfyaChain also uses artificial intelligence and big data analytics to optimize the distribution and allocation of health resources, and to provide insights and recommendations to stakeholders. AfyaChain has partnered with the Ministry of Health, the Medical Stores Department, and the Tanzania Revenue Authority, to pilot its platform in selected regions in Tanzania.

• Savannah: This is a blockchain-based platform that aims to improve the health information system in Tanzania. Savannah uses blockchain technology to create a secure and interoperable network of health data, that can be accessed and updated by various actors, such as health workers, patients, researchers, and policymakers. Savannah also uses machine learning and natural language processing to analyze and visualize the health data, and to provide actionable insights and feedback to stakeholders. Savannah has partnered with the Ministry of Health, the Tanzania Health Data Collaborative, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, to pilot its platform in selected districts in Tanzania.

WEB 3 FOR HEALTH INNOVATION

A third key challenge in the health sector in Tanzania is the lack of innovation and adoption of new technologies and solutions. According to the Global Innovation Index, Tanzania ranks 116th out of 132 countries in terms of innovation performance, and 123rd in terms of innovation input. This means that Tanzania has a low capacity and environment for creating and implementing new ideas and products that can address the health needs and challenges of its population.

Web 3 can offer new ways of fostering and supporting health innovation, by using blockchain technology to create open, collaborative, and incentivized platforms for health innovation. For example:

• Buni Hub: This is a tech innovation hub that supports entrepreneurs, innovators, and developers to create and scale digital solutions for various sectors, including health. Buni Hub uses blockchain technology to create a decentralized and transparent platform for innovation, where users can access resources, mentorship, funding, and markets for their projects. Buni Hub also uses blockchain technology to reward and recognize the contributions and achievements of its users, and to create a community of trust and collaboration. Buni Hub has supported over 200 startups and projects, and has trained over 10,000 youths in various digital skills.

• Hackathon TZ: This is a series of hackathons that aim to solve the health challenges in Tanzania, by bringing together various stakeholders, such as health experts, tech enthusiasts, students, and policymakers. Hackathon TZ uses blockchain technology to create a platform for co-creation, where participants can share their ideas, feedback, and solutions, and to create a platform for validation, where participants can test and refine their prototypes, and to create a platform for implementation, where participants can pitch and showcase their solutions to potential partners and investors. Hackathon TZ has organized several hackathons on topics such as maternal and child health, malaria, and COVID-19.

CONCLUSION

Web 3 can help Tanzania improve its health sector by using blockchain technology to create platforms that are more transparent, secure, efficient, and inclusive. Web 3 can also help Tanzania unleash its potential and creativity by enabling more control and ownership over health data, assets, and solutions. However, Web 3 also faces some barriers and risks, such as low internet penetration, lack of infrastructure, regulatory uncertainty, and skills gap. Therefore, it is important to have a holistic and collaborative approach to create an enabling and supportive environment for Web 3 adoption and development in the health sector in Tanzania.