PM instructs the Ministry to fully adhere to the standards set for healthcare service charges
DODOMA: PRIME Minister Mwigulu Nchemba has directed the Ministry of Health and relevant health sector institutions to fully adhere to and enforce government-set standards for healthcare service charges, to protect the interests of citizens and enable Tanzanians to afford medical costs.
The directive was made today in Parliament in Dodoma while the Prime Minister responded to a question from MP Emmanuel Cherehani, who highlighted complaints from citizens forced to pay for doctor consultations without clear and standardized fee structures.
In his response, Dr Nchemba stated that the government is committed to establishing and enforcing transparent and uniform medical service charges nationwide, to eliminate cost disparities between hospitals and healthcare facilities—disparities that currently burden citizens and delay access to services.
He emphasized that having clear systems and procedures in healthcare service delivery is essential for controlling costs and ensuring that citizens receive quality services promptly and at affordable rates.
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Dr Nchemba further explained that under the Universal Health Insurance Act, the national healthcare system is designed around the concept of sharing medical costs through legally defined packages, allowing every Tanzanian to access healthcare without financial barriers.
He added that citizens who have not enrolled in health insurance are expected to contribute to the cost of services they receive in public hospitals, except for legally recognized special groups that are exempted, including vulnerable elderly people, children, and other designated groups.
The Prime Minister stressed that the government will continue improving and supervising the implementation of the Universal Health Insurance Act while strengthening the regulation of medical service charges, to ensure that healthcare services are affordable, high-quality, and accessible to all Tanzanians.
