Universal health law to take effect soon

DODOMA: THE government has stated that it will, before the end of this month, announce the date of commencement of implementation of the Universal Health Insurance Act 2023.

Responding to the question posed by CCM Special Seats MP Furaha Matondo, Deputy Minister for Health, Dr Godwin Mollel said after President Samia Suluhu Hassan assented to the Bill that was passed by the Parliament last November, the remaining task at hand is to prepare ground for its enforcement.

According to the deputy minister, the Act was announced in the government gazette on December 1, 2023 after the President assented to it on November 10, 2023.

Dr Mollel said Section 1 of the Universal Health Insurance Act 2023 clearly entrusts the minister with the mandate to identify some sections in the law that may start to be implemented, adding that the sections that establish systems for implementing the universal health scheme have already been identified and submitted to the Attorney General.

The Act provides for reforms in regulation, governance, health service delivery and financing of health services to address the fragmentation of financing arrangements of existing health systems by combining the formal public health insurance and the Improved Community Health Funds (ICHF).

In her basic question, Ms Matondo sought the government response on when the implementation of the Universal Health Insurance Act 2023 would take effect, a pivotal piece of legislation aimed at ensuring widespread access to healthcare services for citizens through a comprehensive health insurance system.

The bill, which was a subject of national interest, is aimed at providing health insurance for all Tanzanian citizens, with special provisions for the financing of health care for the poor.

The legislation reflects the government collective commitment to healthcare reform. Under the new law, an equity fund will be established to subsidise premiums for low-income citizens and finance treatment for chronic diseases.

The fund will be resourced through levies imposed on items such as carbonated drinks, alcoholic beverages and electronic transactions.

Health financing was one of the key issues raised when the Universal Health Coverage Bill was tabled for the first reading in Parliament in September 2022.

The Act stipulates the removal of exemptions previously granted in health care, compelling every Tanzanian to enrol in a health insurance scheme.

Employers are now required to register their employees for health insurance within 30 days of employment commencement.

This legislative milestone aligns with Tanzania’s commitment to the World Health Organisation’s Universal Health Coverage goals.

Reports stated that by September 2023, a paltry 15.3 per cent of Tanzanian population was estimated to be insured.