Background: Patient-centered care is a cornerstone of healthcare quality and one of its six key dimensions. Despite its well-documented contribution to improving service delivery and health outcomes, patient-centered care remains inadequately implemented across many health facilities in low- and middle-income countries. This study examined the determinants influencing the effective implementation of patient-centered care among healthcare providers at Kahama Municipal Hospital in Tanzania. Objective: To explore and analyze the factors that facilitate or hinder the effective implementation of patient-centered care among healthcare providers at Kahama Municipal Hospital. Design: A qualitative research design was adopted, involving 21 healthcare providers purposively and conveniently sampled. Data were collected through Focus Group Discussions together with Key Informant Interviews and were analyzed thematically using content analysis. Results: The study identified a combination of individual and institutional determinants influencing patient-centered care implementation. Provider-related factors included limited knowledge and understanding of patient-centered care, low motivation, excessive workloads, inadequate professional competencies, and suboptimal communication practices. Organizational barriers encompassed the absence of ethical and policy frameworks, a lack of a supportive institutional culture, and insufficient leadership commitment to patient-centered values. Conclusion: While patient-centered care is acknowledged at Kahama Municipal Hospital, its implementation is impeded by policy gaps, workforce shortages, leadership limitations, and weak institutional mechanisms. To strengthen patient-centered care practice, health sector policymakers and hospital administrators should: (1) develop and operationalize comprehensive patient-centered care policies and guidelines, (2) institutionalize a patient-centered culture within leadership and governance structures, (3) address human resource deficits, (4) enhance continuous professional development on patient-centered care, and (5) strengthen staff motivation and recognition systems. Implication: Institutionalizing patient-centered care within Tanzania’s health system will enhance care quality, accountability, and patient trust, while accelerating national progress toward equitable, people-centered, and resilient healthcare delivery.