Mwanza launches 2nd phase of Health Insurance to expand access to medical services

MWANZA: MWANZA region has launched the second phase of its Universal Health Insurance implementation plan, which aims to increase the number of citizens accessing medical services through health insurance and to alleviate the burden of medical costs faced by various households.

In this phase, the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) in the Mwanza Region aims to register 35,642 households comprising a total of 90,981 beneficiaries as part of the Government’s efforts to expand access to healthcare services and ensure that citizens are protected against medical expenses.

Speaking today on the implementation of the initiative, the NHIF Manager for the Mwanza Region,Mr Isack Katenda, stated that the Fund will continue to collaborate with regional, district, and council leaders, as well as healthcare professionals, to reach citizens and educate them on the importance of enrolling in health insurance.

Mr Katenda noted that, so far, 1,790 households have been registered under this second phase representing five percent of the target while 2,870 beneficiaries have joined the scheme, amounting to 3.2 percent of the established goal. He stated that these statistics highlight the importance of accelerating public awareness and education efforts, ensuring that more citizens understand the benefits of health insurance and participate in the scheme.

According to Mr Katenda, the NHIF will collaborate with ward and village leaders, district commissioners, council directors, health professionals, and community health workers to facilitate the registration process.

He emphasized that the cooperation of these stakeholders is crucial for reaching citizens in various areas—particularly those who have not yet received sufficient information regarding the Universal Health Insurance scheme and the opportunities available through NHIF packages.

In the initial pilot phase, which focused on low-income households supported by the Government, the Mwanza Region set a target to register 19,345 households. To date, 14,589 households have been registered, representing 75.4% of the target.

Regarding individual beneficiaries, out of the 84,963 people targeted during this phase, 42,315 have been registered equivalent to 49.8% enabling them to access healthcare services through government-funded health insurance.

Mr Katenda stated that the second phase will not be limited to government-supported households that lack the means to pay; it will also include citizens who are able to contribute toward insurance costs through various packages offered by the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).

He explained that citizens can opt for the ‘Fahari Afya’ package, which costs 150,000 Shillings per year for a household of up to six people. Additionally, individuals whether in registered or unregistered groups—can take advantage of the ‘Umoja Afya’ package, which is available for groups of 10 or more people, with an annual contribution of 60,000/- per person.

Speaking during the launch, the Mwanza Regional Commissioner, Mr Salum Hamduni, urged district and council leaders to play an active role in encouraging citizens to join the scheme, emphasizing that good health is the foundation for both individual progress and the development of the nation as a whole.

Mr Hamduni noted that citizens should not be forced to sell their assets or delay seeking medical treatment due to a lack of funds; therefore, it is essential to implement strategies that ensure timely access to healthcare services whenever they are needed.

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He further stated that the implementation of this initiative should not be left solely to health professionals; rather, it requires the involvement of leaders at all administrative levels to ensure that information reaches the public and that the established goals are achieved.

He directed the council to establish measurable goals, implementation schedules, and robust strategies to raise awareness about health insurance through public meetings and engagements with various socio-economic groups.

According to Mr Hamduni, this educational outreach should also target groups such as entrepreneurs, fishing associations, Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs), motorcycle taxi (bodaboda) operators, and other entities capable of helping to mobilize the public to enroll in health insurance.

Furthermore, he emphasized that the success of the initiative should not be measured solely by the number of registered individuals, but also by the quality of care they receive when seeking medical treatment. He noted that healthcare facilities must be equipped with the necessary staff, medicines, and systems to ensure that citizens can access services efficiently.

For his part,Mr Simoni Makolele a beneficiary of the health insurance scheme expressed his gratitude to the Government for creating an environment that enables citizens to access medical care through health insurance.

Makolele shared that the insurance has provided him and his children with protection against medical costs, and he encouraged other citizens to take advantage of this opportunity for the benefit of themselves and their families.

He noted that having health insurance is crucial because illnesses can arise at any time, potentially straining a family’s financial situation if no preparations have been made for medical expenses.

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