Tanzania, April 22 -- Dodoma. The government has acknowledged a critical shortage of anaesthesia and safe sedation specialists in the country, saying it is taking steps to address the gap.

The government said it is introducing a diploma programme aimed at increasing the number of professionals and strengthening surgical services, particularly for pregnant women.

Deputy Minister for Health, Dr Florence Samizi, said the shortage remains a major challenge to the delivery of safe surgical care, adding that the new training initiative is part of broader reforms to strengthen the health workforce.

Dr Samizi said each health centre and hospital is expected to have at least two anaesthesia specialists, but in reality, the country has only 2,95...