Provide free health services to LGBT Tanzanians

Introduction

LGBT Voice Tanzania, formerly WEZESHA, initiated a bold and critical project aimed at addressing a major gap: safe and welcoming healthcare access for LGBTQ+ individuals in Tanzania.

Due to the country's strict anti-LGBTQ+ laws, our approach was designed with caution — we did not seek to open a new hospital, but instead partnered with an existing private healthcare facility to refurbish their space and create an inclusive environment. The objective was to ensure that LGBTQ+ individuals, who often face discrimination or outright denial of medical services, could access healthcare with dignity and respect.

Objectives

The goals of the project were:

• Refurbish and equip an existing private clinic to be more welcoming to LGBTQ+ patients.

• Train 20 peer educators to volunteer and assist patients at the clinic.

• Train 10 health professionals to be sensitive to LGBTQ+ rights and needs.

• Create a sustainable model for inclusive healthcare access across Dar es Salaam and other regions.

Activities and Progress

1. Facility Refurbishment

Using the funds raised, LGBT Voice Tanzania successfully refurbished part of a privately owned clinic in Dar es Salaam. Improvements were made to create a safer, more welcoming environment, discreet enough to protect both patients and the facility from external scrutiny.

2. Peer Educator Training

We successfully trained 20 peer educators who volunteered at the clinic, providing initial support, guidance, and safe navigation for LGBTQ+ patients seeking healthcare services.

3. Health Professional Training

In the midst of implementation, we began training 10 healthcare professionals on LGBTQ+ rights and health needs, aiming to shift attitudes and create truly inclusive services within the clinic.

Challenges and Obstacles

1. Legal Interference and Organizational Re-Registration

During this critical phase, James, one of the leaders of the initiative, was arrested under accusations that the organization was promoting "unlawful activities."
He was detained, interrogated, and released on bail, but his passport was confiscated, and he was required to report daily for three months. As a result, WEZESHA’s registration was revoked.
In response, with the help of our lawyer we swiftly reorganized and re-registered the organization under the new name LGBT Voice Tanzania, reaffirming our commitment to serving the LGBTQ+ community despite the risks.

2. Loss of Primary Facility Partnership

Following James’ arrest, the owner of the healthcare facility grew fearful for his own safety and that of his clinic. As a result, the formal partnership ended, and the facility could no longer openly serve LGBTQ+ patients as originally planned.

3. Alternative Strategies and Withdrawals

We adapted by arranging for LGBTQ+ patients to discreetly use a separate entrance at the facility. Additionally, we partnered with several other clinics to offer services to LGBTQ+ patients at subsidized prices. However, as the political climate worsened and the risk of government crackdowns increased, all partnered facilities gradually withdrew their support to protect themselves.

Outcomes

Although the project could not be completed as originally envisioned, several important impacts were achieved:

• A core group of trained peer educators now exists, prepared to support LGBTQ+ individuals in navigating healthcare spaces.

• 10 health professionals received foundational training in LGBTQ+ sensitivity, a critical seed planted for future progress in the Tanzanian healthcare system.

• Valuable lessons were learned about the importance of discretion, resilience, and building decentralized models of service provision under repressive environments.

Lessons Learned

• Flexibility is Vital: Political and legal realities forced us to pivot multiple times, reinforcing the need for flexible, adaptable strategies.

• Partnerships Must Prioritize Discretion: Future collaborations must be even more confidential to protect all parties involved.

• Community Empowerment Is Key: Training community members and allies directly ensures that knowledge and skills remain even when formal partnerships collapse.

Conclusion and Next Steps

Despite significant obstacles and the eventual withdrawal of clinical partners, this project marked an important step in highlighting the urgent healthcare needs of LGBTQ+ individuals in Tanzania.

Moving forward, LGBT Voice Tanzania is exploring low-risk, community-based healthcare models, continuing to train LGBTQ+ peer educators, and advocating quietly but steadily for inclusive services.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who supported this project and stood with us through its many challenges. Your solidarity has laid the foundation for future, more resilient efforts to secure healthcare access for all LGBTQ+ Tanzanians.