CCM presidential candidate Samia Suluhu Hassan has clarified that her pledge to finance medical treatment will specifically target citizens who cannot afford the cost of care.

Speaking at a campaign rally yesterday in Tunduma, Songwe Region, Samia said that if elected, her government will, within the first 100 days, begin covering specialist treatment and diagnostic services for underprivileged patients suffering from non-communicable diseases.
She listed cancer, heart conditions, diabetes, kidney failure, orthopaedic problems and cardiovascular complications as priority areas of coverage.
“When I launched CCM campaigns in Dar es Salaam, I promised universal health insurance would be piloted. But I also clarified that when it comes to treatment for costly diseases, the government’s burden will be carried only for those who genuinely lack the means. Once verified, the state will meet their expenses so that our people are healthier, our communities stronger, and our nation continues to progress,” she told the crowd.
Samia further explained that the initial rollout of the National Health Insurance Scheme will prioritise the elderly, children, expectant mothers and people with disabilities, whose costs will be fully covered by the National Health Insurance Fund.
She pledged continued investment in free education, student loans, hospitals and health centres, as well as the expansion of safe water supply—aiming to reach 85 percent coverage in rural areas and 95 percent in urban centres this year. Electrification, she noted, has already reached all villages, with ongoing work to connect every hamlet.
Former CCM Secretary General Daniel Chongolo told the rally that the party entrusted Samia with the presidential candidacy because she has demonstrated the ability to deliver. He praised her for restoring fertiliser subsidies, which boosted food production, improving emergency health services, extending free education to A-level, and funding major road projects linking Mbeya and Songwe regions.
He also pointed out that customs revenue collections at the Tunduma border had risen sharply from 130bn/- to 204bn/- over the past financial year, attributing the gains to reforms under Samia’s leadership.
Special Seats MP candidate Neema Mwandabila lauded Samia for improving maternal and child health services, as well as distributing gas cylinders to promote safe energy use.
Momba constituency candidate Condester Sichalwe said residents had walked long distances to attend the rally because of Samia’s record of achievements in the district, including new schools, classrooms, water projects and roads.
Tunduma constituency candidate David Silinde highlighted that 28bn/- had been invested in local education, funding seven new secondary schools—including Samia Secondary School—four new primary schools and 415 classrooms. He added that the area now has five health centres, a new hospital, and nearly 10bn/- invested in health services.
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