Leaders urged to mobilise residents into joining community health funds

By Felister Peter

Aggrey Mwanri, Deputy Minister, Prime Minister's Office (Regional Administration and Local Government)

Local government leaders are responsible to sensitise folk in their respective areas to join the Community Health fund (CHF) and strict legal action will be taken against any District Executive Directors (DED) who will fail to clearly document their efforts to encourage residents in their jurisdictions to register with the CHF.


Speaking yesterday in Parliament, where he pointed out that districts that encourage residents to join community health funds are enjoying better healthcare, Deputy Minister, Prime Minister’s Office (Regional Administration and Local Government) Aggrey Mwanri said failure to do is failure to dispose the charges of their offices on the part of DEDs.

Mwanri was prompted by a question by Elizabeth Batenga, Special Seats (CCM) who wanted to know how the government intends to increase public access to healthcare.

Framing her question, the MP had expressed concerns over repeated occasions where persons have been forced to result to the media seeking public contributions to meet their health needs arguing that the public’s access to medical care is the responsibility of the government through the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

“There are so many people nowadays requesting public support to enable them get medical treatment…so what is the role of the government?” she questioned.

“Rombo District in Kilimanjaro region is a good example, most of the residents there have joined the fund and are enjoying better health services,” Mwanri said, noting that access to healthcare is only complicated due to the tendency by the public to pay for the fees out of pocket.

He went on to explaining that with medical insurance, they can access quality health services both within and outside the country. 

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN