Tanzania (Hansard, 25 April 1994)

§ Mr. Dowd
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what specific measures are being discussed between his Department and the World bank regarding the protection of the poorest in Tanzania following the introduction of user charges and insurance schemes for health services.

§ Mr. Lennox-Boyd
The Government of Tanzania have agreed, following discussion with Her Majesty's Government and the World bank, that patients will be exempted from payment for certain services, such as chronic disease and all preventive services. Those genuinely unable to pay for other services will be granted exemption. We have provided technical assistance to assist the Government of Tanzania in this process. The issue of compulsory health insurance remains under discussion.

§ Mr. Dowd
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice the Overseas Development Administration has given to the Tanzanian Government regarding protection for those who cannot afford to pay for health care.
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§ Mr. Lennox-Boyd
We funded a nationwide survey which demonstrated that the poor are already paying substantially for theoretically free services. Our advice to the Government of Tanzania, which has been accepted, was to increase central budget allocations for health, collect most user charges from those who can afford to pay and exempt certain categories of health care and those who are genuinely poor.

§ Mr. Dowd
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information his Department possesses on what categories of persons are exempted from charges and insurance schemes under Tanzania's new health system.

§ Mr. Lennox-Boyd
The following categories are exempt:

(i) All persons exempted from the development levy on grounds of poverty;

(ii) All preventive services and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, including HIV and AIDS;

(iii) All patients with tuberculosis, poliomyelitis, leprosy, cholera, typhoid, diabetes and psychiatric conditions.

(iv) All children under the age of 12.