The government has announced that 14 per cent of funds under the Universal Health Insurance scheme will be allocated to cover treatment for people living with chronic diseases, in a move expected to strengthen financial protection for patients requiring long-term care.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr Grace Magembe, told the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and HIV/AIDS in Dodoma yesterday that the arrangement is part of measures to ensure patients can access essential treatment without being forced to stop care because of financial difficulties.
Dr Magembe was responding to MPs’ questions on the implementation of Universal Health Insurance, saying the allocation is provided for under the law governing the scheme.
“The arrangement is provided for under the Health Insurance Act and aims to ensure that people with chronic diseases receive the services they need, particularly those who cannot afford treatment,” she said.
Chronic diseases, including conditions that require regular medication, monitoring and specialised care, can place a significant financial burden on households, particularly where treatment is needed over a long period.
Dr Magembe said the government was also implementing other measures to improve access to specialised medical services for citizens who cannot afford them.
She cited the annual allocation of TZS5 billion for specialised treatment as part of efforts to ensure financial constraints do not prevent vulnerable patients from accessing necessary healthcare.
The Permanent Secretary said Universal Health Insurance was designed not only to increase access to healthcare but also to improve people’s ability to meet medical costs and ensure services provided meet required quality standards.
“The government is also continuing to strengthen healthcare systems, including the referral system, to ensure patients receive services at the appropriate level and that insurance funds are used efficiently,” Dr Magembe said.
She said strengthening the referral system would help ensure patients are treated at the appropriate level of care while reducing unnecessary pressure on higher-level health facilities.
However, the government’s approach also places emphasis on prevention, particularly as the country faces a growing burden of non-communicable diseases.
Dr Magembe said the government was continuing to invest in prevention and disease-control measures to reduce the number of people requiring treatment and help protect the long-term sustainability of Universal Health Insurance.
The 14 per cent allocation therefore represents part of a wider effort to ensure that health insurance provides meaningful protection to citizens, particularly those facing the financial demands of prolonged treatment.
