MWE Correspondent
Tanzania is set to make a significant shift in its healthcare system as the government prepares to launch a nationwide Universal Health Insurance programme in January 2026.
The move is expected to widen access to medical services and ease the financial burden of treatment for millions of citizens, particularly those who have long struggled to afford healthcare.
The announcement was made during an official visit to Songwe Region on December 17, 2025, where Prime Minister Dr. Mwigulu Nchemba addressed residents and local leaders. He said the programme forms part of the broader reform agenda pledged by President Samia Suluhu Hassan during the general election campaign, with several commitments scheduled for implementation within the first 100 days of the new term.
According to the Prime Minister, the rollout will begin by focusing on groups considered most vulnerable in society. These include people with low incomes, children, and pregnant women. Prioritising these groups, he explained, is aimed at reducing preventable illnesses, improving maternal and child health outcomes, and ensuring that no one is denied medical care simply because of financial constraints.
Once fully implemented, the insurance scheme is expected to significantly reduce reliance on out-of-pocket payments, which remain a major barrier to timely treatment for many families. Health experts note that broader coverage often encourages early diagnosis and preventive care, while also strengthening public confidence in national health systems.
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Around the world, similar approaches have been adopted as part of wider healthcare reform efforts designed to make health services more inclusive and sustainable.
During the same visit, Dr. Nchemba also addressed a sensitive issue that has drawn public concern in recent years—the detention of deceased bodies in hospitals over unpaid medical bills. He confirmed that directives issued by President Samia banning the practice are now being enforced across the country. Under the new measures, hospitals are no longer permitted to withhold bodies from grieving families solely because treatment costs have not been settled.
The Prime Minister described the decision as both a moral and humanitarian step, stressing that bereaved families should not be subjected to additional pain at a time of loss. Civil society groups and religious leaders have repeatedly condemned the practice, arguing that it violates human dignity and long-held cultural traditions surrounding burial and mourning.
Observers say the planned insurance rollout, combined with the enforcement of ethical standards in health facilities, signals a broader shift toward a people-centered health system. The reforms also align Tanzania with international goals such as universal health coverage, which aims to ensure that all people can access quality health services without financial hardship.
