The School of Health and Medical Science has now been expanded following merging with the College of Health Science (CHS), Zanzibar which was established under Act No. 10 of 1998 of the House of Representatives as a semi-autonomous organ. Traditionally, CHS is a continuation of Zanzibar Health Training School which was established in 1838.

It was officially inaugurated in 1989 aiming at providing quality health services for improving the lives of people of Zanzibar.

The School of Health and Medical Sciences (SHMS) aims to establish the programs designed to produce much-needed health professionals for the internal and external uses. The overall objectives of the programs within the SHMS will be to produce quality and relevant health professionals, doctors, nurses, laboratory scientists, and pharmacists who will be able to tackle the present and future health issues.

Also to provide human resources for health within and outside the region and identify, describe the most important health issues in the local and international context.

The School is located in the west district within Urban West Region about 7 Kilometers South West Zanzibar Town. Access to the College is from Mazizini Police Station through Bakari Jabu Road.