By Business Insider Reporter
The Tanzania Insurance Regulatory Authority (TIRA) and insurance industry stakeholders have contributed TSh 221 million to Benjamin Mkapa Hospital (BMH) to help finance bone marrow transplants for children with sickle cell disease and kidney transplants for patients in need
The hospital’s Executive Director, Prof. Abel Makubi, said the support highlights the potential of public-private partnerships to improve access to specialised healthcare.
He thanked the insurance stakeholders for their contribution, describing it as an example of corporate commitment to addressing community needs. He assured them that the funds would be used to support bone marrow and kidney transplants for patients requiring the procedures.
“This contribution reflects the insurance sector’s commitment to community welfare and will support life-saving bone marrow and kidney transplants for patients in need,” Prof. Makubi said.
The contribution is intended to ease the financial burden of expensive medical procedures on patients and their families, while complementing government efforts to improve healthcare access and outcomes.
Presenting the contribution to the BMH leadership, the Commissioner of Insurance, Dr Baghayo Saqware, commended the hospital for establishing a dedicated fund through which institutions and other stakeholders can contribute towards financing kidney and bone marrow transplants.
Dr Saqware said the TSh 221million had been mobilised by TIRA in collaboration with insurance industry stakeholders, adding that the authority would continue supporting the hospital.
“This contribution has been made possible through TIRA and its insurance industry stakeholders, who worked together to raise the funds. We will continue supporting BMH, and in the next round we intend to contribute more than we have this time,” he said.
The initiative demonstrates how collaboration between regulators, private-sector institutions and public healthcare providers can mobilise additional resources for specialised treatment. For patients who face financial barriers to accessing such procedures, this support could help improve their chances of receiving the care they need.
TIRA’s Head of Public Relations, Hadija Maulidi, said the contribution was part of the insurance sector’s efforts to support government initiatives to improve the health and well-being of Tanzanians, particularly children affected by sickle cell disease.
She said the initiative reflected the industry’s concern for public welfare and its willingness to contribute to addressing healthcare challenges beyond its core insurance business.
Representing insurance industry stakeholders, Metro Insurance Managing Director Amani Boma said the company believed in working alongside communities and going the extra mile to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
Sanlam Allianz Managing Director Julius Magabe said insurance companies believed in giving back to the communities from which they generate income. He pledged continued support for the government and BMH.
BMH’s dedicated fund provides a channel through which stakeholders can pool resources to help meet the costs of specialised procedures. Its effectiveness, however, will ultimately be measured by the number of patients who receive treatment, the extent to which financial barriers are reduced and the transparency with which contributions are allocated and used. Beyond the immediate financial support, the initiative underscores the role that Tanzania’s insurance industry can play in strengthening the country’s healthcare system through partnerships that complement public investment.
