PRIVATE SECTOR TIMELINE FOR REGISTRATION OF ZANZIBAR HEALTH SERVICE FUND

Reference is made to our last legal update on this matter dated 

We have received updates regarding the Zanzibar Health Service Fund (ZHSF) and it has been announced that the private sector can officially begin registration for the ZHSF. However, the deadline for starting the registration and contribution is set for January 2025. 

We have been informed, private sector entities have the flexibility to start registering and contributing from March 2024. If contributions commence in March, services in registered hospitals will be accessible by April in Zanzibar and by July 2024 services will be provided in Hospitals in the Mainland. 

It has further been highlighted that discussions are underway regarding the integration of ZHSF with the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) in mainland Tanzania. If successful, NHIF cardholders will be treated similarly to ZHSF cardholders; otherwise, ZHSF will engage independently with mainland Tanzania hospitals for registration and service provision. ZHSF has  expressed ambitious plans to extend its operations beyond Tanzania to cover East Africa. 

It has also been emphasized that institutions are asked to initiate employee registration by the end of February 2024, with individual employee registration officially commencing on March 1.

For inquiries, ZHSF’s customer service is available during working hours at 0777 690 905.