Dr Irene Isaka: New NHIF czar
DAR ES SALAAM: On Wednesday night, August 15, 2024, Chief Secretary Dr. Mosses Kusiluka announced that President Samia Suluhu Hassan had made a series of key appointments and transfers within and outside of her government. The appointments aim to improve performance in various sectors, including legal, tourism, and health.
In the Head of State’s latest appointments, Dr Irene Isaka is on the list.
Her name is not new in managerial roles. Dr Irene has been appointed as the new Director General of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).
She succeeds Benard Konga, whose term in office expired last week.
Her appointment comes as NHIF strives to expand healthcare coverage while managing ongoing tensions with private healthcare service providers.
NHIF was temporarily under the leadership of Grace Temba, the insurer’s former Director of Finance, who had taken over as Acting Director General.
Who is Dr Irene Isaka?
Dr. Isaka, an economist with extensive expertise in finance and social security, is expected to bring a valuable perspective to her new position.
She holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Dar es Salaam and has both a Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in the same field.
Her academic achievements are matched by practical experience, having worked in various financial roles, including positions at Stanbic Bank Tanzania and in the social security sector.
Prior to her new role, Dr. Isaka was the Secretary General of the East and Central Africa Social Security Association (ECASSA), overseeing operations across 21 social security institutions.
Her career also includes tenure as a lecturer at the Institute of Finance Management (IFM), where she specialized in social protection and actuarial studies.
Dr. Isaka’s career highlights include her tenure as the founding Director General of the Social Security Regulatory Authority (SSRA), where she played a pivotal role in establishing the regulatory framework for Tanzania’s social security sector.
Under her leadership, the SSRA implemented significant reforms, including the harmonization of legal and regulatory frameworks, actuarial valuations, and investment strategies. Notably, she facilitated the merger of five pension schemes in 2018.
In addition to her work in social security, Dr. Isaka held a senior role at Stanbic Bank Tanzania as Head of the International Development Group (IDG), Non-Banking Financial Institutions (NBFIs), and the Public Sector. Her responsibilities included providing strategic direction and long-term financial solutions, as well as identifying improvements to ensure the viability of the IDG’s portfolio, NBFIs, and the public sector.
In her new role, Dr Irene Isaka is set to tackle a demanding but vital position. Her ability to apply her extensive experience and forge strong partnerships will be key aspect to advancing NHIF’s objectives of delivering affordable and accessible healthcare to all Tanzanians.
