Joseph Isangura
Tanzania has rolled out new health insurance packages designed to make medical care more accessible and affordable for its citizens.
The announcement, made by the Minister for Health on Tuesday, introduced two fresh schemes—**Ngorongoro Afya** and **Serengeti Afya**—while discontinuing the older Najali, Timiza, and Wekeza plans.
The changes aim to address the growing demand for affordable healthcare solutions and align with the nation’s vision of achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
**What the New Packages Offer**
The **Ngorongoro Afya** plan provides access to 445 essential healthcare services, with annual contributions starting at TZS 240,000 for each individual. For those seeking a more extensive range of benefits, the **Serengeti Afya** package covers 1,815 services at an annual cost beginning at TZS 660,000.
To cater to children, the government introduced the **Toto Afya Kadi** package, which offers flexible payment options based on how a child is registered. For group registrations, the annual cost is TZS 50,400 per child, while individual registrations require TZS 150,000 per child annually.
The children’s plan also features three tiers to accommodate different needs and budgets:
1. **First Tier:** Annual payment of TZS 658,000, offering inpatient care up to TZS 22 million and outpatient coverage up to TZS 3 million.
2. **Second Tier:** Costs TZS 237,000 per year, providing inpatient services up to TZS 8 million and outpatient care capped at TZS 2 million.
3. **Third Tier:** Contributions of TZS 150,000 annually, covering inpatient expenses up to TZS 2 million and outpatient services up to TZS 1 million.
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**A Call for Collaboration**
Speaking at the unveiling, the Health Minister urged all relevant stakeholders to work together to ensure the success of these new plans.
“We need to involve everyone—health experts, community leaders, and citizens—to ensure these packages truly address the needs of our people,” she said. “This is a significant step toward Universal Health Coverage, and we must get it right.”
The Minister also emphasized that these packages are designed to ease the financial strain on households, offering accessible options to families and individuals from all walks of life.
**What It Means for Tanzanians**
The revamped health insurance options are expected to encourage more people to join health insurance programs, thereby improving the sustainability of healthcare funding in Tanzania. By making healthcare more affordable, the government aims to ensure that all citizens can access quality medical services without falling into financial hardship.
This initiative highlights Tanzania’s commitment to building a resilient and inclusive healthcare system. While it’s still early days, the introduction of these packages has been welcomed as a positive step toward securing better health outcomes for everyone.
