Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba has said the government’s move to implement Universal Health Insurance will offer a long-term solution to challenges facing many Tanzanians in accessing healthcare services.
Dr. Nchemba said the programme is expected to significantly reduce the financial burden on citizens seeking treatment, including consultation fees, medical tests and the purchase of medicines.
He made the remarks on Saturday, May 16, 2026, while addressing residents of Kondoa Urban at Puma Grounds in Dodoma Region during his ongoing tour to hear and resolve wananchi’s concerns.
The Prime Minister said the health insurance scheme would transform access to healthcare by ensuring citizens no longer struggle to meet treatment costs whenever they fall ill.
“As we move towards Universal Health Insurance, many of the problems that have been troubling wananchi will get permanent answers,” he said.
He added that the government has continued investing heavily in the health sector through the construction of hospitals, health centres and dispensaries across the country to bring services closer to the people.
Dr. Nchemba also issued a stern warning to public health facilities accused of forcing patients to buy medicines from private pharmacies despite the government allocating billions of shillings for drug supplies.
“It cannot be that reports show medicine availability is above 90 percent, yet every patient visiting a hospital is told to buy medicines outside. There is definitely something wrong,” he said.
The Prime Minister directed chief medical officers and procurement officials to ensure medicines purchased match the specific needs of communities in their respective areas.
“Every area has different health challenges and medicine demands. Procurement must reflect those realities,” he stressed.
He further revealed that the government has launched a nationwide follow-up exercise to monitor the use of medicine funds in hospitals and health centres, including tracking the amount of money disbursed, medicines purchased and how they are being utilised.
“I have sent officials to inspect every hospital and establish how much money was allocated for medicines, what was bought and how the medicines were used,” he said.
In another key directive, Dr. Nchemba reaffirmed the government’s position against the detention of bodies in hospitals over unpaid medical bills, insisting families must be allowed to proceed with burial arrangements without unnecessary hardship.
“No hospital should continue holding a body because of unpaid bills. Families should be allowed to bury their loved ones with dignity,” he said.
