DODOMA: PRIME Minister Dr Mwigulu Nchemba has reaffirmed that there is no conflict between Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar over the utilisation of national resources or the delivery of public services, saying the Union remains rooted in brotherhood and cooperation beyond constitutional arrangements.
Responding to a question from an MP Agnesta Kaiza (Segerea CHAUMMA) in the Parliament yesterday, Dr Nchemba said concerns surrounding access to services, particularly healthcare, should not be interpreted as signs of strained relations between the two sides of the Union.
Ms Kaiza had sought clarification on the legal and policy framework governing the provision of services to Tanzanians on both sides of the Union in areas that are not classified as Union matters, citing recent public debate over access to medical treatment.
She noted that health is among the non-Union matters and asked how the government ensures that citizens from Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar receive equitable services under the existing legal and policy arrangements.
“We have no relationship problem regarding issues of resource use or issues of service delivery. The Union is not just a matter of constitutional provisions; it is a brotherly union founded on unity and cooperation,” the Prime Minister said.
In his response, Dr Nchemba explained that although the Union structure distinguishes between Union and non-Union matters, the two governments have established collaborative mechanisms to ensure citizens continue to access essential services without discrimination.
He said sectoral ministries and institutions responsible for non-Union matters regularly enter into cooperation agreements to facilitate service delivery across both sides of the Union.
“Legally, there are matters that are not Union matters, but they are implemented through cooperation between the relevant institutions. This collaboration enables Tanzanians to receive services efficiently regardless of whether they are in Mainland Tanzania or Zanzibar,” he said.
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The Prime Minister cited health insurance as a practical example of such cooperation, noting that the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) and the Zanzibar Health Insurance Fund (ZHIF) have working arrangements that allow beneficiaries to access treatment across the Union.
Under the arrangement, Zanzibaris holding valid ZHIF cards can receive treatment at hospitals on the Mainland that recognise the insurance scheme, while Mainland residents covered by NHIF can obtain healthcare services at accredited hospitals in Zanzibar.
“If a Zanzibari comes to a Mainland hospital that accepts the ZHIF card, they will receive treatment using that insurance. Likewise, a Mainland resident with an NHIF card can be treated at hospitals in Zanzibar that accept NHIF. Without valid insurance, a patient is required to pay cash, and this applies equally to everyone,” Dr Nchemba explained.
He stressed that access to treatment is determined by insurance eligibility rather than geographical origin, dismissing suggestions that citizens face discrimination based on whether they come from Mainland Tanzania or Zanzibar.
The Prime Minister acknowledged that recent public discussions on healthcare access stemmed largely from cases involving individuals, who allegedly obtained identification documents through fraudulent means to benefit from services intended for Tanzanian citizens.
He said some foreigners exploit weaknesses in administrative systems to acquire residency or identification documents that enable them to access public services unlawfully.