Makonda backs health insurance drive, 154 workers to be deployed in Arusha

ARUSHA: THE Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, who is also Arusha Urban Member of Parliament, Paul Makonda, has expressed support for efforts to promote Universal Health Insurance among residents of the constituency, announcing plans to work with health leaders to deploy 154 community health workers across all streets.

Speaking during celebrations marking 100 years of Mount Meru Regional Referral Hospital, Mr Makonda said the health workers would serve as a link between residents, the MP’s office, health facilities and district offices.

He said their responsibilities would include educating communities on the prevention of non-communicable diseases and the importance of enrolling in health insurance schemes.

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Mr Makonda said the Government had reduced health insurance costs, with a family of up to six members able to access coverage for 150,000/-, urging Arusha residents to take advantage of the opportunity to reduce the financial burden of medical expenses.

He also encouraged residents who already have health insurance to persuade others to enrol, saying the broader objective was to make Arusha Constituency a leading example in promoting health insurance coverage.