Public Health Internship — Art in Tanzania
Tanzania is transforming its health system. Be part of that transformation.
Tanzania faces some of sub-Saharan Africa's most significant public health challenges — HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, high maternal and newborn mortality, and persistent inequity in access to care, particularly in rural communities. At the same time, the country is making real, measurable progress: expanding antiretroviral treatment programmes, investing in digital health infrastructure, and building partnerships with some of the world's leading public health institutions.
This is a health system in motion — and a public health internship here puts you at the centre of that movement, not watching it from a distance.
About the Program
Art in Tanzania has been supporting Tanzanian communities since 1996, hosting approximately 250 participants annually. Our Public Health Internship is based in Madale village, a tranquil community located 30km from Dar es Salaam city centre — close enough to access urban health facilities, rooted enough to experience community-level public health in its most authentic form.
The programme is open year-round. You choose your start date and term length.
Tanzania's Public Health Landscape
Understanding the system you'll be working in is essential. Tanzania's health system is organised as a referral pyramid — from village health posts and dispensaries, up through district hospitals to national and specialised facilities. At every level, there are gaps, and your contribution matters.
The key challenges this programme addresses:
🔴 HIV/AIDS, Malaria & Tuberculosis Tanzania runs one of Africa's largest antiretroviral treatment programmes and has made significant strides in disease control — but prevention, community education, counselling, and care remain ongoing and critical needs.
👶 Maternal & Newborn Health Despite national progress, maternal and newborn mortality rates remain high, particularly in rural areas. Access to quality antenatal care, skilled birth attendance, and postnatal support continues to require sustained community-based intervention.
📱 Digital Health & Data Tanzania is actively investing in digital health technologies to improve data collection, service delivery, and health outcomes. Interns with data, IT, or communications skills can contribute directly to this growing priority area.
🏘️ Community-Based Interventions Many of Tanzania's most effective public health gains have come through community participation and engagement — the model Art in Tanzania has been working within since 1996.
Key Partners & Institutions
Tanzania's public health sector benefits from a strong network of international and local partnerships — many of which intersect directly with the work you will support:
- USAID & CDC — international donors supporting disease control and health system strengthening
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health — research partnership advancing public health knowledge and practice in Tanzania
- Africa Academy for Public Health (AAPH) — facilitating north-south and south-south collaboration in public health research and training
- Tanzania Centre for Public Health (TCPH) — research, community intervention, and health policy advocacy
- National Public Health Laboratory — diagnostic services, quality assurance, and outbreak response
- Data Use Partnership (DUP) — a government-led initiative to improve healthcare through better health data utilisation
- Tanzania Public Health Bulletin — the primary platform for evidence-based public health dissemination across the sector
Working within this ecosystem gives your placement genuine professional credibility and exposes you to the full complexity of how public health systems are built and sustained in a developing-country context.
What You'll Do
Your placement is tailored to your academic background, professional interests, and the specific needs of the communities and facilities you work with. Tasks typically span:
- Community health education and awareness campaigns
- HIV/AIDS counselling, testing support, and advocacy events
- Maternal and child health outreach activities
- Data collection, analysis, and reporting for community health projects
- Support for digital health and health information initiatives
- Collaboration with NGOs, government health workers, and international partners
- Field documentation, progress reporting, and visibility work
How It Works
Location: Madale village, Dar es Salaam region — 30km from the city centre Start date: Flexible — join at any time, for a term of your choice Duration: Fully adjustable to your academic schedule and goals Group size: 15–40 international students at any time, drawn from 400+ partner universities worldwide
Public health, medicine, nursing, nutrition, epidemiology, health policy, social work, data science, and related disciplines are all well-suited to this programme. We welcome students from any stage of their training.
Life in Tanzania
Madale offers a genuinely immersive experience of Tanzanian village life — peaceful, welcoming, and rich in culture — while keeping Dar es Salaam and its wider network of facilities within easy reach. Beyond your placement, Tanzania's extraordinary wildlife, landscapes, and coastal beauty are on your doorstep. Affordable, sustainable safaris and tours are available for you and visiting friends or family.
Funding
Erasmus+ funding may be available for this placement. Speak to your student office about grant options that could make this experience fully or partially funded.
Ready to Apply?
📋 Apply now 🌐 Visit our website 🏡 See the compound ✈️ Pre-travel info 🎓 EVOLVET volunteer development programme 💬 Read testimonials 🎁 Benefits & perks
Get in Touch
Tell us about your public health background and what you want to focus on — we'll shape a placement around it.
📧 < email deleted for security reasons > 📱 WhatsApp: +255 767 777 73 🎥 Schedule a Zoom call — just reach out by email
