Mbeya is a city located in southwest Tanzania with an urban population of over 500,000 people. It is the first large urban settlement encountered when travelling overland from the neighboring nation of Zambia.

Mbeya has 20 Hospitals and about 35 other health centers. Among the 20 hospitals, is the Regional Referral Hospital(MZRH). MZRH was upgraded from the former Mbeya regional hospital back in 1984, and was officially inaugurated by her Highness, the daughter of the Queen of Britain in 1985. The hospital serves approximately 8 million people in six regions namely; Katavi, Njombe, Rukwa, Ruvuma, Iringa and Mbeya.