DODOMA, Tanzania: Tanzania’s Prime Minister Dr Mwigulu Nchemba said the government’s new Universal Health Insurance (UHI) scheme is designed to reduce inequality by giving poorer citizens access to medical care without financial hardship, aligning with global efforts for universal health coverage.
Speaking in parliament on Tuesday, Dr Nchemba said the programme targets children, pregnant women, the elderly, persons with disabilities and vulnerable households. Government subsidies will cover all or part of their premiums, ensuring access to essential health services without upfront payments.
“The scheme being introduced in the country is expected to help solve health-access problems for the vulnerable population,” he said, noting that high out-of-pocket costs have historically pushed poor families into deeper poverty.
The initiative follows global principles promoted by the World Health Organization and the World Bank, which advocate risk pooling and equitable access to care to reduce disparities. By making health insurance mandatory, Tanzania hopes to expand coverage rapidly and ensure sustainability.
Dr Nchemba said 5,000 medical personnel have been recruited, alongside the provision of essential medicines, functional equipment, and improved healthcare infrastructure. Children under five, pregnant women, the elderly and patients with epidemic diseases are exempt under the UHI Act.
Experts say Tanzania’s approach mirrors global trends in low- and middle-income countries seeking to expand universal health coverage and reduce catastrophic healthcare spending.