From October 6 to 16, 2025, a mural painting was created at the Mwananyamala Regional Core Hospital in Tanzania. Through the collaboration of Ms. Lulu Kono, an artist who was also active in the preceding project in Laos, and Ms. Agness Mwidadi Mpata, a local artist, the mural was created in the style of “Tingatinga,” a pop art representative of Tanzania, in which animals and nature pop up in the newborn examination room and postpartum ward, The richly-colored murals are in the style of Tanzanian pop art “Tinga Tinga.
Mural painting by artists Mural painting by hospital staff
Art x Health
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being” and not simply the absence of disease; in 2019, WHO will release a report on the effects of art on health; in 2023, WHO and Jameel Arts & Health Lab will lead a large series of studies, showing that the arts play a significant role in “disease prevention and health promotion.”
In the United States (in some cases), Sweden, the Netherlands, South Korea, Taiwan, and other countries, “Percent for Art” (a system in which 1% of the budget for public facility construction is allocated to art) has been introduced, and the importance of art is recognized in government services. In Japan, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry launched the “Study Group on Art and Economic Society” in 2022. The report introduces the effects of the introduction of wall paintings, such as increased staff motivation, stress reduction, revitalization of communication, and lower blood pressure due to appreciation of paintings.
Left: Previous postnatal ward Right: Postnatal ward after completion of the mural
Promoting Wellness through Murals
Over the years, JICA has provided cooperation to strengthen the operational management capacity of medical facilities in Tanzania through technical cooperation and grant aid. In this project, artists and communities (hospital staff and inpatients) collaborated to co-create murals, aiming to improve physical and mental health (wellness) through murals. Expected benefits include increased patient satisfaction, promotion of communication with healthcare professionals, alleviation of fear and pain associated with treatment, and increased motivation and sense of belonging among healthcare professionals.
The murals also use “anti-mosquito paint” provided by Kansai Plascon Tanzania (Kansai Paint Co., Ltd.), which is expected to prevent malaria and other mosquito-borne infectious diseases.
*Anti-Mosquito utilizes the habit of mosquitoes to perch on walls and ceilings after entering a room, and by applying ingredients that mosquitoes dislike, it causes discomfort and prevents them from entering.
Anti-mosquito paint After completion of mural in front of newborn examination room
Changes brought about by the mural
At first, the artists were the main focus of the mural project, but gradually hospital staff and inpatients began to show interest and participate in the project. Some even expressed a desire to create murals in their own hospital wards. In the postpartum ward, many mothers spend time away from their newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), and hospital staff said that the murals alleviate their mental anxiety. The hospital director commented, “For patients, especially those in the pediatric and maternity wards, murals can be an innovative treatment. The appearance of a ward has a psychological impact on patient recovery. Seeing bright colors and artistic works of art can allay their fears of hospitals and make them feel safer,” he said, expressing his gratitude for JICA’s cooperation, including that to date.
This new initiative to bring comfort and hope to people’s hearts and create spiritual richness through art has great potential, as it also brings synergy with existing JICA cooperation.
© Source JICA