Dar es Salaam. The National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) is turning to cooperatives, insurance agents and community-based structures to expand health insurance coverage among farmers and other informal-sector workers.

The approach is part of the government’s efforts to extend health insurance coverage under the Universal Health Insurance programme to people who earn their livelihoods outside formal employment.

NHIF manager for marketing and customer services Angela Mziray said the Fund was using structures already trusted by farmers and other informal workers to take insurance information and registration services closer to communities.

“Cooperatives bring together large numbers of farmers, creating an established platform through which health insurance information and registration services can be taken closer to communities,” she said.

Insurance agents are also being used to provide registration and information services, particularly to people who cannot easily access NHIF offices. Ms Mziray urged Tanzanians to enrol in health insurance before falling ill, saying it could protect families from having to use savings or sell assets to meet unexpected medical expenses.

“Illness comes without warning. You may be healthy today, but tomorrow you will need expensive medical treatment.

That is why we urge people to join health insurance early so they can build financial protection for themselves and their families,” she said.

She said the Fund was also conducting public education campaigns across the country to increase awareness of the benefits of health insurance and encourage people to avoid paying medical bills entirely from their own pockets.

NHIF members can access healthcare through government, private and faith-based health facilities registered with the Fund, she said.

“Illness can affect anyone at any time. Having health insurance means that when the need arises, a family can seek medical care without having to bear the full cost of treatment from its own resources,” she said.

The focus on farmers follows a directive by Health Minister Mohamed Mchengerwa on February 2, 2026, identifying farmers among the strategic groups to be reached under the Universal Health Insurance programme.

Other groups include livestock keepers, artists, motorcycle taxi operators and small-scale miners.

Mr Mchengerwa said the government would reach such groups in the areas where they live and work, using communication approaches and language suited to their circumstances to increase enrolment.

The government has also begun implementing the Universal Health Insurance programme for households unable to afford contributions, with Sh48.8 billion allocated to support healthcare access for specified groups.

As of the latest figures, 172,297 households had been reached and enrolled, with 463,228 beneficiaries beginning to access medical services at registered health facilities.