The National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) and Aga Khan Hospital Dar es Salaam have signed an agreement to provide cancer treatment services to NHIF members. This partnership aims to expand access to specialized cancer care in Tanzania. The agreement was signed by NHIF Director General Dr. Irene Isaka and Aga Khan East Africa Chief Executive Officer Dr. Zeenat Sulaiman at a ceremony held at Aga Khan Hospital in Dar es Salaam.
The partnership is part of NHIF's efforts to improve access to healthcare services for its members, particularly specialized services requiring advanced expertise and technology. NHIF is continuing to expand the scope and improve the quality of services available to its members while increasing the number of health facilities providing such services through the fund's network of healthcare providers. This move is expected to strengthen access to specialized cancer treatment through NHIF's network of healthcare providers.
Under the agreement, NHIF members will have access to outpatient cancer treatment services at Aga Khan Hospital facilities in Dar es Salaam and Mwanza, as well as 14 clinics. The services will include radiotherapy and chemotherapy. NHIF members will also be able to attend cancer treatment clinics at the hospital and receive services in accordance with the fund's procedures, terms, and guidelines.
Dr. Isaka described the signing of the agreement as an important step towards strengthening access to specialized cancer treatment through NHIF's network of healthcare providers. She emphasized that NHIF continues to improve the scope and quality of services available to its members and expand the network of facilities providing those services.
Dr. Sulaiman said Aga Khan Hospital values its partnership with NHIF, adding that the agreement reinforces the commitment of both institutions to improving access to quality healthcare for the public. She highlighted the importance of collaboration between public and private institutions in strengthening healthcare services.
The agreement builds on the longstanding cooperation between the two institutions and comes as the government continues to implement its Universal Health Insurance program, which seeks to ensure equitable and timely access to healthcare services for Tanzanians. NHIF said it would continue strengthening partnerships with healthcare providers across the country to expand access to services for its members.
The partnership is expected to expand the number of facilities offering cancer treatment to NHIF members, while giving them greater access to specialized care from experienced healthcare professionals and to technologies required in cancer treatment. This collaboration is a significant step towards improving healthcare services in Tanzania, and NHIF members are expected to benefit greatly from this agreement.
Key points
- NHIF and Aga Khan Hospital partner to provide cancer treatment services to NHIF members.
- The partnership aims to expand access to specialized cancer care in Tanzania.
- The agreement includes access to outpatient cancer treatment services at Aga Khan Hospital facilities in Dar es Salaam and Mwanza.
