Tanzania is strengthening its push toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by focusing on groups that play a key role in the informal economy.
These include farmers, livestock keepers, motorcycle taxi operators, artists and small-scale miners.
The government believes these groups are essential to expanding health insurance coverage nationwide.
The Minister of Health, Mohamed Mchengerwa, said the strategy is based on reaching people where they live and work.
He explained that many citizens in the informal sector are often missed by traditional awareness campaigns.
The new approach uses simple language and communication methods that are familiar to each group.
The government aims to improve understanding of UHC and encourage more people to register.
Officials say better awareness will reduce hesitation and misinformation about health insurance.
They believe this will help more households protect themselves from high medical costs.
At the same time, the government will continue to support vulnerable groups. These include the elderly, pregnant women and people with disabilities.
These groups will keep receiving free medical services under existing government arrangements. The policy is meant to balance expansion with social protection.
The UHC campaign is also being linked to daily social and economic activities. Health insurance messages will appear in markets, workplaces and community gatherings.
The government plans to use art, popular artists and digital platforms to reach a wider audience, especially young people.
Officials say this approach will make health insurance part of everyday life.
They want citizens to see UHC as a normal public service, not a special programme. Technology is expected to play a bigger role in spreading information and supporting registration.
Universal Health Coverage is a core part of Tanzania’s health reforms. The goal is to reduce out-of-pocket spending on healthcare. The government also wants to improve access to quality services. In the long term, UHC is expected to strengthen the health system and improve economic security for families across the country.
