Building a Lifesaving EMS System in Tanzania
Road traffic injuries are a leading cause of death in Tanzania — and many patients never receive organized prehospital care. We’re working to change that.
Our Challenge
Traumatic injuries are a leading cause of death in Tanzania. Mortality from road traffic crashes is estimated to be nearly double the global rate, with most deaths occurring before patients reach hospital care.
Tanzania has no public emergency medical system. Ambulance services operate independently and are often financially inaccessible. Critically ill and injured patients are frequently transported by family members, taxis, or bystanders without medical support.
Northern Tanzania currently lacks:
A centralized emergency dispatch system
Standardized ambulance equipment and medical protocols
Uniform training for prehospital providers
Coordinated communication between field responders and hospitals
Emergency medicine as a hospital specialty is advancing in Tanzania. However, without a structured prehospital system, the chain of survival remains incomplete.
TZEMS is working with Tanzanian partners to design and implement that missing system.
Our Mission
Our initiative marks a groundbreaking collaboration between Emergency Medicine (EM) trained physicians, nurses and paramedics, forming a cohesive partnership between Arusha, Tanzania, and Minneapolis, Minnesota to envision and implement an EMS System in Arusha that serves everybody.
Our Team
Our multidisciplinary team comprises seasoned specialists, each possessing indispensable expertise crucial for establishing a comprehensive EMS system. With extensive experience in emergency medicine, critical care, paramedicine, and disaster response, our team members boast an intimate familiarity with the healthcare landscape, particularly in the Kilimanjaro region of Tanzania.
Our Project
Saving Lives Starts with a System
The TZEMS project is a multi-phase initiative to build a sustainable, high-quality emergency medical system for the Arusha region. Through local leadership, international partnership, and community-driven design, we are creating a system where none exists—laying the foundation to save lives today and for generations to come.