Tuberculosis is a chronic infectious disease caused bacillus Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Basically, there are two types of tuberculosis: Pulmonary tuberculosis affects the lungs and is the commonest and infectious form of the tuberculosis and Extra-pulmonary tuberculosis is the disease that affects organs other than the lungs such as pleura, lymph nodes, pericardium, spine, joints, abdomen or genito-urinary tract. TB is mainly airborne and spread to children by adults, older children and adolescents who have Pulmonary tuberculosis also known as TB of the Lung.

We are all by now undoubtedly aware of the global pandemic outbreak known as Coronavirus (COVID-19) that is highly contagious which has resulted in one case being confirmed in Tanzania on Monday the 16th of March 2020. In response,

The Government of the United Republic of Tanzania needs only TZS 150 billion for 5 years to cover the cost of 28 percent of health insurance for low-income Tanzanians, the country’s religious leaders have said at a recent Breakfast Debate organised by Policy Forum in collaboration with the Interfaith Standing Committee on Economic Justice and Integrity of Creation (ISCEJIC) on September 27, 2019.

Tanzanian members of parliament have been urged to press the executive for more investments in the education and health sectors in order to meet its commitments to provide free education and affordable, equitable access to health services for all.

Honourable Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Hon. Members of Parliament, Chief Medical Officer, Troika Chair, WHO country representative, Development Partners; staff of the Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Seniors and Children; PO-RALG, PO-PSM, representatives of the private sector, ladies and gentleman, good morning.
On behalf of more than 100 Civil Society Organizations which are under the umbrella of Policy Forum, Sikika appreciates the opportunity to be one of the speakers in the opening of this policy day for the health sector’s stakeholders in Tanzania.

Only 30 percent of Tanzanians are covered by health insurance while the rest have to find their own means of treatment whenever they fall sick. This situation is more dreadful for those who are retired without reliable sources of funding.

This was said by Mr. Okumu Salvatory, Compliance and Field Operations Officer at the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) during the Policy Forum breakfast debate held on 27th November, 2015 at the British Council Auditorium.

Honourable Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, honourable Members of Parliament, Chief Medical Officer, development partners, staff of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, PMO‐RALG, PO-PSM, representatives of the private sector, ladies and gentleman, good morning.

We appreciate the opportunity to be amongst the opening speakers in this Policy Day for stakeholders of the health sector in Tanzania.

Tanzania's health spending is still far less than what is recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO), stakeholders were told today at a policy debate in Dar es Salaam.

Speaking at the breakfast event organised by the Policy Forum, Dr. Flora Kessy of the Mzumbe University said that the WHO has recommended a per capita health spending of US$54 and the government’s own target is as outlined in the third Health Sector Strategic Plan (HSSP III) was a per capita health spending of US$ 15.75 by 2009/10 but this has not been met.

CSO Statement at the Joint Annual Health Sector Review Meeting for 2010. September 29 - 30, Blue pearl Hotel. Full text in pdf:

Reference:

http://www.policyforum-tz.org/sites/default/files/AJHSR2010_0.pdf