The implementation of universal health insurance has emerged as one of Tanzania’s top health sector priorities for the 2026/27 financial year, as the government intensifies efforts to ensure more citizens can access affordable medical care.
The commitment was reaffirmed during the 25th Annual Joint Health Sector Policy Meeting held in Dar es Salaam, where health stakeholders endorsed key priorities for the coming financial year and pledged closer collaboration in strengthening healthcare services nationwide.
Closing the meeting on Thursday, the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office responsible for Regional Administration and Local Government, Prof. Riziki Shemdoe, urged Tanzanians to enrol in the national health insurance scheme, describing it as essential for protecting families from the rising cost of treatment.
He said the universal health insurance agenda reflects President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s broader vision of improving access to healthcare and reducing the financial burden on ordinary citizens.
“Universal health insurance has been discussed and endorsed by stakeholders as one of the major priorities for the 2026/27 financial year. I call upon all Tanzanians to join the health insurance scheme because it is important in safeguarding our health,” Prof. Shemdoe said.
He further appealed to financially stable Tanzanians to support vulnerable groups who may not afford insurance contributions, noting that collective participation would help ensure no citizen is left behind in accessing healthcare services.
The meeting, attended by government officials, development partners and health sector stakeholders, also reviewed achievements and challenges recorded during the 2025/26 financial year.
Health Minister Mohamed Mchengerwa said the gathering provided an important platform for evaluating the sector’s progress while building consensus on future priorities aimed at improving healthcare delivery across the country.
He noted that stakeholders had signed a joint agreement committing themselves to implementing the agreed priorities for the next financial year.
“After extensive discussions with stakeholders in the health sector, we have agreed and signed priorities that we will jointly implement in the 2026/27 financial year in order to protect the health of all Tanzanians,” Mr Mchengerwa said.
The renewed push for universal health insurance comes at a time when the government continues to invest heavily in hospitals, health centres, medical equipment and specialised healthcare services as part of broader reforms to strengthen Tanzania’s healthcare system.
