A high-level Interministerial Steering Committee (ISC) for the development of a Health Financing Strategy (HFS) is launched under the leadership of the Minister of Health and Social Welfare (MOHSW) and strongly supported by P4H partners. Chaired by the Permanent Secretary HSW, the Committee comprises the Directors from key ministries responsible for finance, labour, and industries, as well as departments responsible for decentralization, public service, and planning. The ISC will be responsible for coordinating the development of the HFS, including consultations with other stakeholders, drafting, and liaison with government decision-making bodies. The formation of the ISC is a major step forward in the reform process aimed at achieving universal health coverage.
Together with the ISC, updated National Health Accounts (NHA) are also launched, providing an in-depth view of the situation of health financing in Tanzania for the financial year 2009/10. They reveal that while Total Health Expenditure per capita has doubled since 2002/03 to US$41, it still falls short of the US$54 recommended by the Taskforce on Innovative Financing. While funding from all sources has grown considerably over the last 4 years, growth in private financing through out-of-pocket spending has outstripped the increase in public and donor funding. This is a set-back on the path to universal health coverage and financial risk protection. The NHA are supported by USAID, a partner in the local P4H network.
More details can soon be found on the MOHSW website and the Development Partners Group for Health in Tanzania website.
