Drivers for implementing e-claim process of improved Community Health
Fund from two districts in Central Tanzania.
Abstract
Background: In most Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs),
enrolment in community-based health insurance (CBHI) is still low. In
Sub-Saharan Africa enrolment rate is less than 10%. In 1996, Tanzania
introduced Community Health Fund (CHF) which was modified in 2011
whereby the government came up with the improved community health fund
(iCHF). The introduction of iCHF was intended to improve service
delivery to the population where an electronic integrated management
information system was introduced. Objective: This study was
set to explore the drivers for implementing the e-claim process of
improved Community Health Funds from two districts in Central
Tanzania. Methods: An exploratory case study design using a
qualitative approach was adopted to explore information on the drivers
of the implementation of the iCHF electronic claim process in Mkalama
and Iramba districts in Singida region. In-depth interviews were used to
collect data from the Eighteen (18) participants including regional
health managers, district health managers, Information Technology (IT)
officers, facility in charge and iCHF focal persons from dispensaries,
health centres and hospitals. Data were analyzed using a thematic
content analysis. Results: The drivers for implementing the
iCHF e-claim process were adherence to supervision directives and
government policy, resource management and client satisfaction but the
e-claim system does not attract Health Community Workers (HCWs) to
comply with the iCHF e-claim process Conclusion: The iCHF
e-claim process is inadequately implemented and does not attract Health
care workers (HCWs) due