The partnership between the Institute of Public Health at Heidelberg University Hospital and MUHAS – Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, is working to strengthen tertiary health care in the region. MUHAS is to become a recognised training centre, and to this end curricula and course modules for students and medical staff are to be implemented in the fields of quality management. Problem: The general lack of benchmarks for appropriate analyses and comparisons of tertiary health care structures and specialist hospitals are some of the main problems to be addressed by the partnership. Main activities: Within the scope of the partnership project, the project team is to develop training courses and workshops as well as a curriculum that is in line with local needs. Short-term results: The partnership helps medical staff obtain training and upgrading in the field of quality management and quality improvements. Long-term results: Capacity development for staff is to result in enhanced quality of patient care.