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{
    "id": 1496091,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1496091/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 53,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Rangwe, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. (Dr) Lilian Gogo",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. Pursuant to Standing Order 33(1), I rise to seek leave for adjournment of the House in order to discuss a definite matter of urgent national importance regarding the implementation of the Social Health Insurance Fund, otherwise called (SHIF), which officially began on 1st October 2024. The Social Health Insurance Fund is designed to promote universal health coverage by ensuring that all individuals and communities have access to essential quality health services from health promotion and prevention to treatment, rehabilitation and palliative care without facing financial hardship. While the objectives of SHIF are commendable, as it aims to bridge critical gaps in health access, the rollout has encountered significant challenges that undermine its effectiveness. In the past one month, many patients requiring urgent essential treatment such as cancer and renal care have experienced severe delays in treatment despite being prior contributors to the defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF). In addition, health facilities have raised concerns on the inadequate funding and delayed disbursements by the Social Health Authority (SHA), resulting in financial constraints that hinder their ability to provide critical services. Sadly, due to the technical issues encountered on the SHIF portal, many patients are being forced to pay out of their pockets, imposing further financial strain on those who cannot afford such expenses and endangering their lives by delaying life-saving treatment. It is against this background that I seek leave of the House to discuss this matter of national importance with a view to exploring possible and lasting solutions to this problem."
}