The Universal Health Insurance (UHI) scheme, which starts on 26 January, aims to guarantee essential services for more than 1.45 million vulnerable people in its first phase, including the elderly, children, pregnant women, and people with disabilities.
The government said the initiative is part of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s broader agenda to strengthen social protection and reduce inequality. Officials describe the rollout as a key milestone in the government’s first 100 days of the current administrative phase.
Health Minister Mohamed Mchengerwa said the programme marked a shift in how healthcare is delivered.
“This reform reflects a commitment to recognising healthcare as a fundamental right, not a privilege,” he said. “It lays the foundation for long-term protection of all citizens.”
Under the first phase, the government will fully cover 276,004 vulnerable households through a Basic Essential Services Package valued at 150,000 Tanzanian shillings ($60) per household. Coverage extends to up to six family members, including spouses and dependants such as children under 21.
Services will be accessed through Tanzania’s national referral system at facilities accredited by the National Health Insurance Fund.
Across East Africa, countries have adopted different approaches to expand coverage. Rwanda relies on community-based insurance, while Kenya has extended national schemes to informal workers and low-income households. Tanzania’s model combines state-funded coverage for vulnerable groups with a phased plan aimed at eventually covering the entire population.
Mchengerwa said local and regional leadership would be critical to translating the reform into real access.
“This is not a technical exercise for health professionals alone,” he said. “It requires direct oversight, accountability, and engagement at all levels of government.”
The rollout will be phased, with registration and enrolment coordinated at the village, ward, and urban neighbourhood levels. Officials said the approach allows time to complete supporting systems, including a unified national digital platform to manage enrolment, benefits, and service delivery across facilities.
The interoperable digital system is expected to be operational within three to six months, after which the second phase will expand coverage to wider populations outside the initial vulnerable groups.
Similar platforms in countries such as Ghana and Rwanda have improved transparency, reduced duplication, and streamlined service delivery. Tanzanian authorities say the system will be crucial for scaling UHI sustainably.
To support uptake, the government has launched a national public awareness strategy, with regional and local leaders coordinating outreach. Health facility managers have been urged to prioritize service quality to build public confidence, which officials say is essential for long-term participation.
Analysts say Tanzania’s reform reflects a broader continental trend, as African governments move to reduce out-of-pocket health spending and advance toward the global goal of universal health coverage.
For Tanzania, officials say the launch of UHI represents one of the most significant health policy shifts in recent years, turning universal healthcare from a long-term goal into an active, phased programme.
Notes to Editors
· Tanzania officially launches its Universal Health Insurance (UHI) programme on 26 January 2026, marking one of the country’s most significant healthcare reforms in recent years.
· The first phase targets over 1.45 million vulnerable people, including the elderly, children, pregnant women and persons with disabilities.
· The government will fully subsidise 276,004 vulnerable households, providing a Basic Essential Services Packagevalued at TSh 150,000 (USD 60) per household, covering up to six family members.
Media Contact:
Information Services Department and Office of The Chief Government Spokesman
E-mail: maelezotv@gmail.com
Phone: +255 754 750 765; +255 754 698 856; +255 759 714; +255 713 381 904
Availability: EAT, UTC +3
ENDS