Tanzania, Aug. 13 -- Dar es Salaam. The National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) is turning to cooperatives, insurance agents and community-based structures to expand health insurance coverage among farmers and other informal-sector workers.

The approach is part of the government's efforts to extend health insurance coverage under the Universal Health Insurance programme to people who earn their livelihoods outside formal employment.

NHIF manager for marketing and customer services Angela Mziray said the Fund was using structures already trusted by farmers and other informal workers to take insurance information and registration services closer to communities.

"Cooperatives bring together large numbers of farmers, creating an established ...