*2.2.3 Intended and unintended effects of "free health policy"*

Provision of free medical services in Tanzania recorded several achievements. Among the major successes of the free services and the policy implemented during that period was significant progress in reducing infant and child mortality through declines in morbidity and mortality from malaria and other childhood diseases. Other achievements include progress in aspects of child malnutrition, expansion of vaccine coverage, decline in HIV prevalence as well as Neonatal and Maternal Mortality [3, 4].

Despite the recorded accomplishments, there were unintended outcomes of the free health services regime. They include occurrence of healthcare service disparities due to intensification of social and economic inequalities, limited availability of equipment, medicines and supplies, equipment breakdown and lack of accountability in service provision or reduced performance [3].
