Table 1.
Description of study councils (status 2014)
| Characteristics | Council A | Council B |
|---|---|---|
| Population sizea | ∼250 000 | ∼400 000 |
| Average household sizea | 4.9 | 4.3 |
| Number of health facilitiesb | 38 | 59 |
| Number of public health facilities (hospitals/health centres/ dispensaries)b | 27 (23/3/1) | 25 (20/5/0g) |
| Perceived CHF implementation capacity | Medium | Low |
| Year of CHF introductionc | 2003 | 2008/9 |
| CHF premiumc | 3.01/6.02 USDe,f | 6.02 USDf |
| CHF benefit packagec,d | Maximum of six beneficiaries from one household per CHF card and unlimited access to all services offered at any public health facility within the council, including the council hospital | Maximum of five beneficiaries from one household per CHF card with access limited to all services offered at the health facility, where CHF registration took place |
| User fee policyd | ‘Fixed’ (independent of treatment): 0.90 USD at public dispensaries or health centres including all services; 1.20 USD at the public hospital for registration/consultation and various prices for medical supplies, diagnostics or any other additional services | ‘Flexible’ (depending on treatment): 0.12–1.08 USD for registration/consultation and various prices for medical supplies, diagnostics or any other additional services at all public health facilities |
| Fund poolingd | Cost Sharing and Insurance Funds pooled at council level | Cost Sharing and Insurance Funds pooled at health facility level |
| Role of CHF coordinator | Dental Medical Officer at council hospital | Health facility in-charge (medical officer) at main council health centre |
b Source: Comprehensive Council Health Plans of selected councils collected by SR and IM.
c Source: CHF reports of selected councils collected by SR and IM.
d Source: Informal personal communication and observational data from selected councils collected by SR and IM.
eCHF premium changed from 3.01 USD to 6.02 USD mid-October 2014.
fAnnual average exchange rate for 2014 (1662 TSh = 1 USD) (Bank of Tanzania, 2017).
gThere is a designated non-public referral hospital in council B.