Joseph Isangura
The National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) has introduced a more user-friendly process for its children’s health insurance program, Toto Afya, aimed at addressing longstanding challenges and improving healthcare access for students.
The announcement came during a recent briefing led by NHIF Director General, Dr. Irene Isaka, and Acting Director of Member Services, Hipoliti Lello, in Dar es Salaam. The updated policy removes the previous requirement for a minimum of 100 students to register as a group, allowing parents and guardians to enroll their children individually through schools and colleges.
Making Health Coverage Easier
Dr. Isaka highlighted that the move was designed to tackle operational hurdles and expand access. “We recognized the difficulties families faced under the earlier model. This revision reflects our determination to make health insurance accessible to every student in Tanzania,” she stated.
Parents and guardians can now register children directly at their academic institutions, ensuring streamlined enrollment and uninterrupted healthcare services. Those who complete the registration early will benefit from timely access to medical care within designated timelines.
Addressing Past Concerns
The Toto Afya program has been a cornerstone of NHIF’s efforts to ensure children receive adequate health coverage, but its implementation faced criticism for being cumbersome and restrictive. Rural communities, in particular, found the previous threshold challenging to meet, often leaving children without coverage.
Lello emphasized NHIF’s commitment to inclusivity, saying, “We aim to remove barriers so that every family can ensure their child’s well-being. With this update, schools will play a significant role in assisting parents to register easily.”
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Advancing Healthcare Goals
By simplifying access to Toto Afya, NHIF aligns with Tanzania’s vision for universal health coverage, particularly for vulnerable populations such as children. The revamped program provides essential health services, helping bridge the gap between urban and rural healthcare access.
Local schools and colleges are expected to facilitate the enrollment process actively, fostering collaboration between NHIF and educational institutions.
What’s Next?
As the revised program rolls out, NHIF will monitor its effectiveness and provide additional updates. Parents and guardians are encouraged to act swiftly to ensure their children are enrolled and protected.
