Tanzania President, Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, has expanded free health insurance to two million elderly citizens, part of a broader initiative to improve medical access for senior Tanzanians.
Since the program’s launch, 4.97 million elderly people—including 2.68 million women and 2.29 million men—have been registered to receive free healthcare services.
Among them, 2.2 million have been issued health insurance cards, allowing them to access medical treatment at no cost.
The government has set up 4,574 dedicated service counters for elderly patients across 7,300 health facilities, with 2,726 facilities prioritizing care under the motto “Serve the Elderly First” to address space limitations.
Community support structures have also been strengthened, with 20,768 elderly advisory councils established across the country’s 26 regions, 184 councils, 3,956 wards, 12,333 villages, and 4,269 streets.
In addition, 2,449 disability committees provide medical and psychological support for the elderly and persons with disabilities.
The program underscores the Tanzanian government’s commitment to social welfare and inclusive healthcare, targeting the country’s aging population and vulnerable groups.