The government is working to secure reliable and sustainable sources of funding to support the implementation of Universal Health Insurance and ensure that citizens can access medical services without being held back by the cost of treatment.
Deputy Minister for Health Dr Florence Samizi said the government was putting in place mechanisms to ensure the sustainability of the scheme while also providing coverage for citizens who cannot afford to pay for health insurance.
Dr Samizi made the remarks on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, when responding to questions from members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and HIV/AIDS, chaired by Dr Johannes Lukumay, after presenting a report on the implementation of Universal Health Insurance.
She said the government, under President Samia Suluhu Hassan, remained committed to improving access to healthcare by ensuring that financial constraints did not prevent citizens from receiving treatment.
“The one who can afford it will pay, while those who cannot afford it will be covered by the government. Our goal is to ensure that all citizens have health insurance and can access services when they need them without financial barriers,” Dr Samizi said.
The Deputy Minister said implementation of Universal Health Insurance had started in phases to allow the government to strengthen key systems before rolling out the programme more widely.
The systems include household identification, availability of medicines, payment mechanisms and healthcare service delivery.
She said the initial phase had also provided the government with an opportunity to identify areas requiring improvement, particularly at the primary healthcare level, where the majority of citizens seek treatment.
Dr Samizi stressed the need for greater public awareness, saying health insurance should be regarded as protection against the financial burden that can arise from illness.
She urged citizens to obtain health insurance before falling sick rather than waiting until they need medical treatment.
“Health insurance is protection against high medical costs. People should have insurance before they become sick, rather than waiting until they need treatment,” she said.
She also called on MPs and other stakeholders to support government efforts to educate the public on the importance of health insurance.
Dr Samizi said a system based on contributions would help spread healthcare costs and ensure that people who fall ill can receive treatment without having to shoulder the full cost themselves.
The government’s phased implementation of Universal Health Insurance is therefore aimed at strengthening financing, improving service delivery and building systems capable of providing sustainable health coverage to all citizens.
The initiative comes as the government seeks to expand access to healthcare while reducing the financial burden that medical treatment can place on households.
