PHIT 2025 Annual Report Highlights: From Evidence to Impact

Prime Health Initiative Tanzania (PHIT) is a locally led non-governmental organization committed to strengthening health systems through evidence-based interventions, innovation, research, and strategic partnerships.

The year 2025 was a period of institutional consolidation and foundation-building following the completion of the Mlinde Mama project. PHIT focused on strengthening its governance, financial position, research portfolio, partnerships, resource-mobilization capacity, and long-term strategic direction.

Guided by the theme “From Evidence to Impact: Building Foundations for Sustainable Health Systems,” PHIT continued to advance locally driven public health innovation and expand the evidence base for improving access to high-quality healthcare services.

Vision: To lead locally driven public health innovation and expand access to high-quality healthcare services that leave no one behind.

Mission: To design and implement effective, evidence-based, and client-centered public health interventions that strengthen health systems.

PHIT’s strategic focus areas include:

• Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health: Advancing equitable access to quality services across the continuum of care.
• Digital Health and Artificial Intelligence: Harnessing technology and data-driven tools to improve health outcomes.
• HIV/AIDS and Non-Communicable Diseases: Supporting responses to chronic and emerging health challenges.
• Social and Behaviour Change Communication: Promoting informed health decisions and sustainable community-level change.

“While 2025 was a year of consolidation following the Mlinde Mama project, we achieved significant milestones that have strengthened our organization and positioned us for future growth.”

— Dr. Hamid Mandali, PHIT Chief Executive Officer

“Impact begins long before implementation. In 2025, we focused on laying the foundation for long-term impact through strategic planning, research, and resource mobilization.”

— Prof. Willy Urassa, PHIT Board Chairman

PHIT recorded several important institutional, financial, and scientific achievements during the year:

• 14 funding proposals developed and submitted to support future programmes and organizational growth.
• TZS 149 million maintained in liquid fund investments.
• Unqualified audit opinion, reflecting sound financial management and compliance.
• 5,936 lifetime beneficiaries reached through the Mlinde Mama maternal health programme.
• Five preprints and publications produced or advanced through scientific dissemination processes.

These achievements demonstrate PHIT’s continued transition from a project-based organization into a stronger institutional platform capable of generating evidence, mobilizing resources, and supporting sustainable public health programming.

A major institutional activity undertaken in 2025 was the development of PHIT’s 2026–2030 Strategic Plan. The strategic planning process was designed to clarify PHIT’s future direction, strengthen organizational positioning, and identify priority areas for programme development, partnerships, research, innovation, and resource mobilization.

The process provided an opportunity for leadership, Board members, technical advisers, founding members, and other stakeholders to reflect on lessons from previous projects and define how PHIT can translate its research and implementation experience into sustainable health-system impact.

The strategic plan will guide PHIT’s growth over the next five years, including expansion of reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health programming; responsible use of digital health and artificial intelligence; strengthened partnerships; improved institutional visibility; and development of a diversified funding base.

PHIT’s 2025 research outputs built directly on evidence generated through the completed Mlinde Mama project in Geita Region. The research portfolio examined Group Antenatal Care, digital health, routine health-service delivery, and the use of machine learning to support maternal risk identification.

Highlighted research outputs included:

• Implementation of Group Antenatal Care in Tanzania: Perspectives of Women and Healthcare Providers
• Digital Health and Machine Learning for Early Detection of Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy
• Group Antenatal Care in Routine Public Health Settings: Evidence of Effectiveness and Utilization in Geita Region

PHIT also presented its research at the 12th Tanzania Health Summit, contributing to national scientific dialogue and helping bridge the gap between research evidence, health policy, and public health implementation.

PHIT maintained a strong financial position during 2025, supported by prudent management of institutional resources and continued attention to financial accountability.

• Total assets: TZS 155.4 million
• Liquid fund investments: TZS 149.0 million
• Cash holdings: TZS 4.3 million
• External audit result: Unqualified audit opinion

The unqualified audit opinion provides assurance that PHIT’s financial statements were presented fairly and that the organization maintained appropriate financial-management practices. The organization’s liquid investments also provide a foundation for institutional continuity while funding and programme-development opportunities are pursued.

PHIT’s progress during 2025 was supported by collaboration with government institutions, academic partners, implementing organizations, technical advisers, and development partners.

Key collaborators and stakeholders included the Government of Tanzania, Jhpiego, Maternia, the Aga Khan University, Johnson & Johnson, CCBRT, the Gates Foundation, and other technical and institutional partners.

These partnerships supported knowledge generation, strategic planning, proposal development, scientific dissemination, and the continued advancement of locally led health-system innovation.

As PHIT enters 2026, the organization is positioned to translate the institutional investments made during 2025 into meaningful health outcomes. Key priorities include:

1. Securing donor and programme funding.
2. Finalizing and implementing the 2026–2030 Strategic Plan.
3. Expanding the reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health programme portfolio.
4. Scaling up responsible AI-enabled and digital-health programmes.
5. Strengthening government, academic, technical, and development partnerships.
6. Improving PHIT’s institutional visibility and public engagement.

PHIT will continue to pursue locally driven innovation, evidence-based programming, and sustainable approaches that strengthen health systems and expand access to quality care.

PHIT extends sincere appreciation to its Board of Directors, founding members, staff, technical advisers, government counterparts, research collaborators, and development partners for their support throughout 2025.

“2025 was a year of building foundations. We remain committed to locally led innovation, evidence-based programming, and the belief that no one should be left behind.”

For further information on PHIT’s institutional achievements, research activities, financial position, partnerships, and priorities for the coming year, view or download the full report below.