A Dissertation Submitted to Department of Administrative studies of Mzumbe University-Dar es Salaam Campus in Partial/Fulfillment for the Award of Master of Public Administration (MPA) of Mzumbe University-Dar es Salaam Campus
The general objective of the study was to assess the performance of NHIF towards improving services to its members. The study contained three specific objectives which were; to determine the extent to which NHIF has enabled accredited health facilities to provide quality health services to its members in Kibaha DC, to determine the extent to which NHIF members are satisfied with health services they receive as result of their membership to NHIF and to examine the range and types of health services supported by NHIF at Kibaha DC.
The research design employed in this study was case study design. Thus, the study led to selection of Kibaha District Council as the study area. Sampling techniques used in selecting respondents were convenience sampling technique and purposive sampling technique. The sample size of study was 43 respondents. Data collection methods used in the study were questionnaire method, interview method and documentary review. Quantitative analysis and qualitative analysis were used in analyzing data.
The findings show that NHIF has failed to enhance provision of quality health services to members by accredited health facilities. Also, the findings show that most of NHIF beneficiaries are dissatisfied with services they receive after joining the scheme. Most of beneficiaries have also failed to meet their expectations after joining the scheme. Furthermore, services supported by NHIF are eye services, dental services, inpatients services, investigations and surgeries. However, there are other services such as rehabilitation services, specialized procedures and major surgeries which are not covered to beneficiaries.
Performance of NHIF is still poor due to failure of the scheme in enabling accredited health facilities to provide quality services to members of the scheme, low level of satisfaction among members of the scheme with services they receive and limited access to services. Hence, it is recommended that NHIF should ensure timely provision of funds to accredited health facilities and increased specialists in different services.