Lung Cancer in Tanzania

Document Type

Artefact

Department

Internal Medicine (East Africa)

Abstract

Background

The United Republic of Tanzania is a country located in East Africa, bordered by several countries and the Indian Ocean. With a population exceeding 61.7 million, according to the most recent census, Tanzania has a youthful demographic, with 42.8% of the population aged below 15 years and only 3.8% aged 65 years or above—a proportion unchanged from 2012 to 2022. Most Tanzanians (65.1%) live in rural areas, where healthcare access is often limited owing to a critical shortage of healthcare personnel, among the lowest globally.1 Its healthcare system faces significant challenges, including high maternal and child mortality rates, and a high burden of infectious diseases such as human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome, pneumonia, and malaria. The Tanzanian healthcare system is predominantly public, with over 60% of facilities managed by the government, supplemented by faith-based organizations and private entities. Health care services are structured hierarchically, starting at the community level with dispensaries and health centers, progressing to district hospitals, and if necessary, to regional, zonal, and national referral hospitals. Faith-based and private facilities play a supplementary role, comprising 17% and 18% of all registered facilities, respectively.2 Currently, only 8% of the population receives health care coverage within the National Health Insurance Fund.3 The country is striving for universal health coverage, with significant financial support from international donors such as the United States Agency for International Development and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which contribute nearly 40% of the national health budget. Tanzania's National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) offers its members coverage for cancer treatment. Most cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery, are covered by the NHIF; nevertheless, patients may be responsible for certain out-of-pocket costs, particularly for more complicated or expensive procedures. The NHIF uses a fee-for-service reimbursement approach, where healthcare practitioners are paid for the services, they render. Health care providers must adhere to fee schedules established by the NHIF for various medical operations, including cancer treatment. Nevertheless, the full expense of cancer treatment may not always be covered by reimbursement policies and price schedules, particularly for more cutting-edge or experimental therapies like immunotherapy or targeted therapy. Patients may be required to pay out-of-pocket in such circumstances or request financial aid from non-governmental groups or other sources. Recent government initiatives have increased health sector funding, with the 2022/2023 budget allocation rising to TZS 1109 billion, reflecting a commitment to strengthening the health care system.4

Publication (Name of Journal)

Journal of Thoracic Oncology

DOI

https://www.jto.org/article/S1556-0864(25)00061-9/fulltext

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS