NHIF new board tasked to expedite UHI execution

DODOMA: THE government has directed the newly launched National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) Board of Directors to fast track the implementation of the Universal Health Insurance legislation.

Minister for Health, Jenista Mhagama issued the directives during inauguration of the new board in Dodoma on Tuesday, insisting on them to address challenges facing Tanzanians in health insurance.

Ms Mhagama further asked the board to supervise the NHIF Management so that improved service delivery is heightened.

“You need to equally oversee the welfare of employees of the fund as well as their rights and responsibilities,’’ she noted.

The minister tasked the board members to avoid fear or favour in the course of discharging their duties.

The new board was inaugurated following the appointment of its chairperson, Eliud Sanga by President Samia Suluhu Hassan in September 2024.

Later, the Minister for Heath appointed seven members of the board who are Zubeda Chande, Professor George Ruhago, Prof Kaushik Rumaiya, Veronica Kishula, Dickson Kaambwa, Shaaban Kabunga and Armoury Amoury.

Speaking at the event, the chairperson of the board of directors said that his team will use all skills, experience and professionalism to implement all the directives issued by the minister as well as delivering to the expectations of their clients.

“We will do anything to maintain our unity as well as using all the skills we have to implement the directives by the appointing authority,’’ noted Mr Sanga.

Earlier, NHIF Director General, Dr Irene Isaka, expressed optimism with the new board of directors, pledging full support of her management to the board.

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According to her, NHIF management had stayed for six months without a Board, but despite its absence, the government continued to provide close guidance which helped them to discharge their duties without facing stumbling blocks.

According to her, NHIF had made a significant improvement in the registration of new members and that as of March 2024, a total of 1,246,000 members were registered.

Also, she noted, NHIF had managed to register 14,000 health facilities out of which 72per cent were public health facilities with the remaining facilities being private and health centres owned by religious institutions.

Last year while speaking during the launch of NHIF’s new membership registration system, claims processing system and three new health insurance packages, NHIF Director General, Dr Irene Isaka explained that the new registration system allows members to register and selfserve without visiting NHIF offices, making the process easier for new enrolees.

She also highlighted the claims processing system, which has been developed locally, increasing efficiency by using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to process claims quickly.

This has significantly reduced the time it takes to make payments to service providers. Both systems were developed by local experts at a cost of 445 million/-, a considerable savings compared to the 3.5bn/- that would have been required if foreign experts had been involved.

The newly launched packages include Serengeti Afya, Ngorongoro Afya and Toto Afya Kadi (TAK).

The first two packages offer varying levels of healthcare services, ranging from general checkups to specialised treatments.

The main difference lies in the number of services and their annual costs. The Toto Afya package, designed specifically for children, offers two enrolment options: individual and group (through schools). Group enrolment is more affordable and offers immediate benefits.

Dr Isaka explained that the Serengeti Afya package covers a broad range of services, from basic to specialised care, with over 1,800 services available.

The annual contribution starts at 660,000/- per person. The Ngorongoro Afya package provides over 440 services, with an annual contribution starting at 240,000/- per person. The Toto Afya Kadi (TAK) package, for children under 17, offers individual enrolment at an annual cost of 150,000/-, with a three-month waiting period before benefits can be claimed.

For group enrolment through schools, the cost per child is 50,400/-, with no waiting period for benefits.

These new packages supplement the basic package, allowing members to access additional services as needed and offering them the freedom to select services based on personal preferences.