Learning on TAP: Improving Access to Assistive Technology in Tanzania
December 11, 2025
In Tanzania, a groundbreaking initiative is enhancing access to assistive technology by empowering primary health workers through innovative blended learning. The project, known as Learning on TAP, is a collaborative effort between the Tanzanian Ministry of Health, HelpAge Tanzania, and the World Health Organization (WHO) that aims to address the shortage of specialized rehabilitation professionals and expand the availability of essential assistive products.
Bridging the Gap in Assistive Care
Dr. Msafiri Kabulwa, Coordinator for Elderly Care and Persons with Disabilities within Tanzania’s Directorate of Curative Services, leads the initiative. His journey to healthcare was unconventional; initially aspiring to become an electrical engineer, Dr. Kabulwa shifted to medical studies due to limited educational resources in his hometown. He graduated as a dental surgeon and later became a tutor for dental therapists, combining his passion for medicine and education.
Dr. Kabulwa explains the challenge: "In many low- and middle-income countries, there is a critical shortage of occupational therapists and physiotherapists, especially in rural areas, leaving many communities without access to these vital services." To combat this, the project focuses on training non-specialist health workers — including nurses, clinical officers, and social workers — who often serve as the first point of contact in health systems.
Leveraging Blended Learning to Build Capacity
Starting in 2022, Learning on TAP began supporting community and primary health care workers in Tanzania’s Morogoro region. It employs a four-stage blended learning model delivered through the WHO Academy online platform, combining:
- Online learning
- In-person sessions
- Mentored practice
- Independent practice
This approach not only delivered theoretical knowledge but also built the practical skills needed to identify, fit, and manage assistive products within communities.
“The project introduced many primary health workers to online learning for the first time,” Dr. Kabulwa notes. “With widespread smartphone access, the courses could be accessed flexibly on the job, making the training both practical and scalable.”
Addressing a Critical Need in Africa
The WHO Africa Region faces a significant challenge: over 200 million people currently need at least one assistive product, such as hearing aids, walking sticks, or near vision spectacles. This figure is expected to double by 2050. Yet only an estimated 15-25% of those in need have access to these products.
Learning on TAP is helping to close this gap. Through the project’s efforts in two districts, 179 primary and community-level health workers were trained to support assistive technology provision. Nearly 15,000 assistive products were distributed across 31 health facilities, contributing to a 45% increase in health center personnel engaged in this vital role.
Building Sustainable Assistive Technology Services
A key success of the initiative has been establishing robust referral pathways connecting communities, primary health centers, and district hospitals. Mentors and peer organizers provide ongoing support beyond initial training, ensuring continuous learning and improvement.
The project also identified which assistive products are needed at different levels of the health system, laying the groundwork for effective supply chain management and integration of assistive products into essential health product lists.
The WHO’s Learning on TAP training model has been piloted beyond Tanzania, including in Fiji, India, Papua New Guinea, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Ukraine. These pilots demonstrate the adaptability of the blended learning approach to diverse healthcare contexts based on WHO’s global standards.
Towards Nationwide Expansion
Reflecting on the project’s achievements, Dr. Kabulwa expressed optimism for scaling the initiative. “Our experience in just two districts provides the evidence needed to expand assistive technology provision country-wide. Sustainable training solutions exist, and collaboration with WHO can help countries find approaches that work best in their context.”
Learning on TAP represents a promising step towards improving access to assistive technology, ultimately enabling millions of people in Tanzania and beyond to live more independent and dignified lives.
Related Information:
- WHO Learning on TAP blended learning resource
- WHO’s work on assistive technology and health product policies
- Assistive technology fact sheets and guidelines available on WHO platforms
For more on this story and related initiatives, visit the WHO Africa regional website.
