Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the barriers to the implementation of the improved Community Health Fund (iCHF) electronic-claim (e-claim) process in primary healthcare services in Tanzania. DESIGN: A phenomenological study design using a qualitative approach. SETTING: In-depth interviews were conducted to collect data from 19 participants from Mkalama and Iramba districts. PARTICIPANTS: The data were collected from the regional health managers, district health managers, information technology officers, facility in-charges and iCHF focal persons from dispensaries, health centres and hospitals. Thematic analysis was employed to analyse the data in this study. RESULTS: This study identified several key barriers to the implementation of the iCHF e-claim process. The barriers include financial governance and oversight, institutional capacity for the iCHF e-claim process, staff negligence in complying with iCHF guidelines, resource availability, and logistical shortcomings for handling iCHF e-claim processes. CONCLUSION: The iCHF e-claim process is inadequately implemented and does not attract healthcare workers due to the observed challenges. There is a need for joint efforts to improve the implementation of the iCHF e-claim process involving stakeholders at all levels.