Health Sector Basket Fund (HSBF) in Tanzania

The Health Sector Basket Fund (HSBF) is a pooled funding mechanism designed to support the delivery of primary healthcare services in Tanzania. It is a joint initiative involving the Government of Tanzania, development partners, and other stakeholders to ensure efficient and equitable healthcare financing at the local government level.

Objectives of HSBF

1. Strengthening Primary Healthcare – Ensures adequate funding for health services at district, ward, and village levels.
2. Enhancing Financial Efficiency – Reduces fragmentation by consolidating donor and government funds into a single basket, minimizing duplication of efforts.
3. Improving Health Infrastructure – Supports construction, renovation, and equipping of health facilities such as dispensaries, health centers, and district hospitals.
4. Ensuring Availability of Medicines and Medical Supplies – Funds procurement of essential drugs and equipment.
5. Promoting Accountability and Transparency – Enhances local government oversight and reporting mechanisms for health-related expenditures.

Funding and Management

• The HSBF is managed under the President’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG), commonly known as TAMISEMI.
• Funds are disbursed directly to Local Government Authorities (LGAs) based on agreed criteria, including population size, health needs, and facility performance.
• Development partners contributing to the HSBF include the World Bank, UNICEF, the European Union (EU), the Global Fund, and bilateral donors such as Switzerland, Denmark, and Ireland.

Impact of HSBF

• Increased access to quality healthcare services, especially in rural and underserved areas.
• Improved maternal and child health services through better-equipped health centers.
• Strengthened community health programs, including disease prevention and health promotion.
• Enhanced financial sustainability of local health services.

Challenges and Future Directions

• Delays in fund disbursement can affect service delivery.
• Capacity constraints at the local government level may hinder effective fund utilization.
• Need for more domestic financing to reduce donor dependency.
• Improved monitoring and evaluation to ensure funds are used effectively.

FAQs

1. What is the Health Sector Basket Fund (HSBF)?

• The HSBF is a pooled funding mechanism that supports primary healthcare services in Tanzania by consolidating funds from the government and development partners.

2. Who manages the HSBF?

• The HSBF is managed by the President’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG), also known as TAMISEMI.

3. What are the main objectives of the HSBF?

• The main objectives include strengthening primary healthcare, enhancing financial efficiency, improving health infrastructure, ensuring the availability of medicines, and promoting accountability.

4. Which organizations contribute to the HSBF?

• Development partners such as the World Bank, UNICEF, the European Union (EU), the Global Fund, and bilateral donors like Switzerland, Denmark, and Ireland contribute to the HSBF.

5. What are the challenges faced by the HSBF?

• Challenges include delays in fund disbursement, capacity constraints at the local level, the need for more domestic financing, and the need for improved monitoring and evaluation.

6. How does the HSBF impact healthcare in Tanzania?

• The HSBF has increased access to quality healthcare, improved maternal and child health services, strengthened community health programs, and enhanced financial sustainability.

The HSBF remains a crucial pillar in Tanzania’s efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and improve overall public health outcomes. For more information, visit the official HSBF portal or contact your local government authority.