At just 38, Dr. Mugisha Nkoronko, a General Surgeon and Endoscopist, has already carved an impressive career path—and most recently, he transitioned to bigger leadership roles after he was officially sworn in as the 22nd President of the Medical Association of Tanzania (MAT), pledging to make the association “more member-centered.”
However, as Nkoronko takes the helms, he faces a herculean task of revitalizing MAT and ensuring its continued relevance in the years to come.
“Come rain, come shine, we will focus on members first and then everything else later’’
Dr. Mugisha Nkoronko-extract of his acceptance speech at the 56th MAT Scientific Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM).
Founded in 1965 as a merger of the British Medical Association (Tanganyika Branch), Tanganyika Medical Society, and the Asian Medical Practitioners Association, MAT has a rich history of advocating the interests of medical professionals and promoting quality healthcare in Tanzania.
What’s on Dr. Nkoronko’s table?
Despite its strong foundation, MAT, which is headquartered in Dar es Salaam, has faced a decline in member engagement, among many other challenges. The MAT Council Annual Report (2023-2024) which was made public shows that MAT is currently grappling with lack of stable funding, a limited secretariat that hinders MAT’s ability to serve its members effectively.
Relying primarily on membership dues, the association has struggled to secure sufficient resources. Only 20% of members have paid their membership fees, and small-scale projects have not generated enough income to sustain operations. The low membership rate and limited participation from existing members have compounded these challenges.
Time to turn the tide
To reclaim its former glory and serve as a source of pride for medical professionals across Tanzania, Dr. Nkoronko says MAT is now embarking on a reform strategy which includes restoring “a sense of belonging to a professional body with prestige, where a member can give and receive a number of member tailored benefits of a professional association.”
The new president is taking steps to improve the association’s responsiveness to member needs, acknowledging the concerns that have been raised through meetings and various member forums.
“We will take every feedback from members—whether good or bad, and we will act on it,’’ he noted in his acceptance speech at the AGM in Dodoma.
But where are the members?
According to MAT, Tanzania has over 5,000 registered doctors, and an unknown number of registered Clinical Assistants, Medical Officers (MOs) and Assistant Medical Officers (AMOs), but the association currently has only around 1,000 active members, Nkoronko told MedicoPRESS.
To address the gap, Nkoronko said he has engaged his team—the newly elected leadership—to set a goal of reaching and engaging all the members.
“My target is to reach 5000 members and leave no one behind,’’ he said in an interview with MedicoPRESS.
Beyond increasing the membership
Dr. Nkoronko, who is currently a Surgeon at Benjamin Mkapa Hospital (BMH) in Dodoma says he is working on increasing communication and outreach to members of MAT, tailoring services to their specific needs, and creating a stronger sense of community within the association.
The ambitious plans, however, extend beyond member-centricity. He has already pledged to foster greater multistakeholder engagement, recognizing the importance of a unified voice in shaping the future of the medical profession.
To achieve this, he aims to revitalize the association as a platform for networking, advocacy, policymaking, professional development and leadership opportunities. MAT is also planning to offer more exclusive benefits such as discounted resources, access to the Tanzania Medical Journal, and more networking events.
Fit for the job!
With hopes pinned on Dr. Nkoronko’s experience in leadership and organizational administration, MAT is poised for significant transformation. His involvement in supporting the growth of the Dr. Muggy Foundation, an NGO focused on human development could help him propel reforms in MAT.
Dr. Nkoronko has held leadership positions at the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC), including Head of the Acute Surgery Unit and Attending General Surgeon and Endoscopist. After completing his Doctor of Medicine degree from Tumaini University, he specialized in General Surgery at LLU/PAACS/COSECSA. His extensive surgical experience spans various disciplines, including basic surgical sciences, critical care, trauma surgery, and cancer surgery.
Beyond patient care, Dr. Nkoronko is a dedicated leader and advocate within the medical community. He has served as President-Elect of MAT and Chairman of the Medical Association Northern Zone Chapter. Additionally, he founded the Netcare Foundation to improve surgical care.
A helping hand
His leadership will be complemented by Dr. Alex Elifuraha, the President-Elect. In accordance with MAT's Constitution, the President-Elect works closely with the President to gain experience and prepare for the next leadership role.Dr. Elifuraha, a Surgeon at the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI) acknowledges the significant challenges ahead, emphasizing the need to rebuild trust and reform the association to better serve its members.
He envisions a MAT that is more focused on improving healthcare through research and attracting more members with research interests.
“To rebuild and reform our association so it works for the people, root out mistrust, the road ahead will not be easy. But we are more than ready,’’ he told MedicoPRESS.
