Issue: 2026/Vol.36/No.1, Pages 74-92

A STOCHASTIC PROGRAMMING APPROACH FOR ASSET AND LIABILITY MANAGEMENT OF NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE FUND IN TANZANIA

Imani Kapungu, Nyimvua Shaban Mbare, Andongwisye John Mwakisisile, Emmanuel Evarest Sinkwembe

Full paper (PDF)    

Cite as: I. Kapungu, N. S. Mbare, A. J. Mwakisisile, E. E. Sinkwembe. A Stochastic programming approach for asset and liability management of National Health Insurance Fund in Tanzania. Operations Research and Decisions 2026: 36(1), 74-92. DOI 10.37190/ord/210427

Abstract
Several studies have reported about sustainability issues of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) due to a mismatch between assets and liabilities. Despite these studies, no study has worked on the asset and liability management (ALM) of NHIF. In response to that, we applied a stochastic programming model to devise a decision framework that proposed an appropriate funding strategy to ensure financial sustainability of NHIF over the next 10 years. The model was formulated based on the regulations of Tanzania, with scenarios for random parameters generated by ARIMA and VAR models. We also performed convergence and stability tests to determine the appropriate scenario tree for our model. Numerical results suggest that remedial contributions in some stages, along with formulating an investment portfolio that favors government securities and fixed deposits, promises financial sustainability of NHIF over the next decade.

Keywords: Health insurance, asset, liability, stochastic programming, financial sustainability

Received: 20 September 2024    Accepted: 8 September 2025
Published online: 8 September 2025