A project on enhancement of community participation in community health insurance : a case of Mwananyamala Ward
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Tanzania faces serious challenges to improve the health and wellbeing of its people. Action is urgently needed to create fundamental change in the health status of Tanzanians living in poverty. In order for the goals of the poverty reduction strategy and health sector to be realized, particular commitments must be made to those who are impoverished, marginalized and other wise vulnerable (Hutton (2003)) The Ministry of health and its partners in government, the donor community and civil society have responded with concerted action, in many cases achieving significant gains. In efforts to stem the deterioration of the health system and address systemic financing, service delivery and management concerns, a Health Sector Reform (HSR) program was initiated in 1995/96 including the necessity of complimentary partnership between communities and the government in cost sharing to finance health care services.
As a response community health funds (CHF) were established. UMASIDA-Umoja wa Matibabu Sector Isiyo Rasmi Dar es salaam is a mutual health scheme for the urban informal sector. These are poor people with marginal and seasonal income. The main objective of UMASIDA is to organize them so that on a mutual basis they can access comprehensive health care. Currently the scheme has enrolled 25% of the total target group and response to premium payment is very poor. This is because of poverty.
This project was intended to increase accessibility for informal economy operators in Mwananyamala for health services through enhancement of the capacity of their community based organization and community's disposable income by widening their business (Author abstract)