Origins of Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) can be traced back in 1910 to 1920s known as Sewahaji Hospital.

In 1956 the name changed to Princess Margareth Hospital. Soon after independence in 1961 it was named Muhimbili Hospital to 1976 when it changed to Muhimbili Medical Centre.

Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) was established by the MNH ACT of Parliament No. 5 of 2000 by separation of the then Muhimbili Medical Centre (MMC) into Muhimbili National Hospital and the Muhimbili University College of Health Sciences (MUCHS), now Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS). Separation was effected in November 2004.