The contribution of national health insurance fund in improving the provision of health services in Tanzania: the case of Kibaha district in coast region

The purpose of this study was to examine the contribution of National Health Insurance Fund in improving the provision of health services in Tanzania. It is based on a case study and it was conducted in Coast Region at Kibaha District. Data collection was done by using questionnaires, interviews and focus group discussion. The findings of this study showed that most of the respondents were not satisfied with the services they got at the health facilities. 'Be drugs and medical supplies available at the health centers were of low quality and inadequate and at times patient were provided with inappropriate drugs/medicines. Also accessibility to health services was limited and influenced by ill-staffed and ill-equipped facilities, limited health facilities alternatives for example pharmacies and poor or limited participation of the private facilities in the provision of the service under the Fund. Furthermore the majority of the respondents see the Fund as doing nothing to improve health services Based on the findings of this study, it was concluded that the failure of the Fund to meet its members' health needs could be attributed to the fact that members were not involved in its formation and the whole process of making decision. This denied the Fund the chance to identify members' needs and interests. This is because health seeking behaviour is influenced by several factors including education, culture and competence of providers.