WAMA Foundation Women Groups Empowered on Access to Health Insurance Services, May 26, 2012 - Dar es Salaam

WAMA Foundation in collaboration with National Health Insurance Funds of Tanzania (NHIF) has conducted a one day workshop to the 52 leaders of WAMA Foundation Women Groups at Majohe, Pugu known as Umoja wa Vikundi vya WAMA kata ya Majohe (UVIMA) and their neighbor groups at Mbagala, Mwisho wa Lami and Pugu.

The workshop was conducted at WAMA Foundation ground on May 26, 2012. It was facilitated by the team from National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) and WAMA Foundation: Mrs. Tabu Likoko, Director of WAMA Women Economic Empowerment Unit, Eugene Mikongoti, Director of Operations of NHIF, Mr. Rehani Athumani, Acting Director Community Health Fund (CHF), Mr. Michael Mhando, Director of Health Insurance Services, NHIF, Mrs. Grace Michael, Public Education and Relations Officer, NHIF and Ms. Philomena Marijani, Advocacy and Communication Officer- WAMA Foundation.

The workshop aimed at educating the Women Groups on available services and benefits of National Health Insurance services so as they can be members of the fund and improve their well being. The presentations discussed on the available packages and benefits of National Health Insurance Fund schemes namely The Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), Community Health Fund (CHF) and the introduction of private and informal sector beneficiaries’ member.

After the presentations and discussions the participants decided that they will join the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) of which has many benefits compared to Community Health Fund (CHF).

Giving the final remarks, Director of Women Empowerment Unit, Mrs. Tabu Likoko encouraged the women to work hard and to be proactive and punctual on all their activities. She told them that as the leaders they had a major role of educating other on the knowledge they have got on National health Insurance Service so as they can bring a change in their society especially in increasing access to better health for all citizen.

As the National Health Insurance Fund indicated that the total of 6.2 million people from formal and non- formal sectors are beneficiaries of NHIF and CHF. WAMA Foundation sees the importance of linking the women groups with National Health Insurance Fund so as they can benefit from their service especially on acquiring better health services.