Africa-Press – Tanzania. AS government is set to roll out the Basic Essential Services Package under the Universal Health Insurance (UHI) next week, Regional Commissioners across the country have been tasked with ensuring the successful implementation of the health initiative.
Under the initial phase which will commence on January 26 this year, a total of 1,457,602 individuals, equivalent to 276,004 vulnerable households, will be registered and fully covered by the government.
The beneficiaries include the elderly, children, pregnant women and persons with disabilities.
Speaking yesterday in Dodoma during a high-level working session with RCs, District Commissioners (DCs), Regional Administrative Secretaries (RASs), Council Directors and Regional Medical Officers, Minister for Health Mohamed Mchengerwa said the first phase marks a historic step toward guaranteeing every citizen the right to health services.
“The launch of this scheme is taking place before the completion of the first 100 days of President Samia Suluhu Hasssan’s pledge that she will transform the national understanding of health as a right and establish a new foundation for the protection of every Tanzanian,” he pointed out.
The minister said that the Essential Benefits Package valued at 150,000/- per household will cover not more than six members. It will cover the principal contributor, their spouse and up to four dependents, including parents, children under 21 (biological, adopted or stepchildren) or blood relatives younger than 21.
“The package will be available through the referral system at health facilities accredited by the National Insurance Fund.”
Mr Mchengerwa stressed that each Regional Commissioner carries personal, direct and non-delegable responsibility for the enforcement of UHI in their respective region.
“This is not a technical assignment to be left only to health professionals; it is a leadership duty that demands the presence, decisions and close follow-up of RCs themselves,” he said.
He added that national success will not be measured in Dar es Salaam but in each region, based on how leaders implement the directive on the ground.
“A region where citizens understand the scheme and is widely registered and access services without barriers will stand out as a model of effective leadership. Where progress lags, it will reflect leadership gaps and not policy failures,” he said.
Mr Mchengerwa noted that regions have already begun preparations following President Samia’s directive, with UHI discussions featuring prominently in Regional Consultative Committee (RCC) meetings and yielding commitments expected to guide high-quality implementation.
The minister instructed DCs and Council Directors to take primary responsibility for grassroots execution, noting that the viability of UHI will be proven at ward, village and street levels.
“There will be no real success if citizen registration is not strictly supervised at the lowest level. Registration is not a seasonal campaign, it is an ongoing administrative obligation requiring planning, scheduling, close follow-up and clear accountability,” he said.
He said the government adopted a phased approach to allow completion of key systems, including the establishment of a unified national digital platform for managing health insurance and service delivery.
“Within three to six months after the launch, the ministry will ensure the presence of an interoperable national system to be used in all health facilities. Once this is completed, the second phase, covering all citizens, will begin,” he said.
The minister said the ministry has prepared a national plan for public education and awareness on UHI.
He directed RASs, DASs and council directors to coordinate community sensitisation, and urged RCs and DCs to ensure favourable environments for the dissemination of information.
He also directed regional and council health officers, as well as facility in-charges, to uphold service quality, saying improved services are key to building public trust and encouraging enrolment.
