Tanzania, June 18 -- Dar es Salaam. Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba has sought to defuse a growing debate over access to healthcare services within the Union, saying the issue is not a dispute between Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar but a challenge arising from foreigners allegedly exploiting weaknesses in the system.

Speaking during the Question and Answer session in Parliament on Thursday, June 18, 2026, Dr Nchemba said relations between the two sides of the Union remain strong and are founded on shared identity and kinship rather than administrative arrangements alone.

He said the debate emerged following concerns over free healthcare programmes for vulnerable groups, including beneficiaries of the Tanzania Social Action Fund (Tasaf) o...