‘Underprivileged Tanzanians don’t pay for medical treatment’

DODOMA: THE Tanzanian government is taking firm steps to ensure that underprivileged citizens can access healthcare services without financial barriers, using a model similar to the provision of free primary and secondary education. This was stated today in Parliament in Dodoma by the Deputy Minister for Health, Dr. Godwin Mollel, while responding to a question …

DODOMA: THE Tanzanian government is taking firm steps to ensure that underprivileged citizens can access healthcare services without financial barriers, using a model similar to the provision of free primary and secondary education.

This was stated today in Parliament in Dodoma by the Deputy Minister for Health, Dr. Godwin Mollel, while responding to a question from Donge MP, Soud Mohammed Jumah, who wanted to know the government’s plans to make healthcare services free, similar to the education sector.

Dr. Mollel explained that since 1995, the government has been implementing a policy that exempts vulnerable citizens from paying for medical treatment. However, he noted that the implementation of this policy has faced several challenges, including limited resources and an unstable healthcare financing system.

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In response to these challenges, the government has begun implementing the Universal Health Insurance Act, under which low-income citizens will have their health insurance covered by the state. This move is aimed at enabling them to access quality healthcare services for free, with equity and dignity.

Additionally, Dr. Mollel emphasized that the implementation of this law is part of the government’s broader efforts to improve the healthcare financing system, with the goal of ensuring that every Tanzanian receives appropriate health services regardless of their financial status.