A database linking districts and the Ministry of Health has been put in place to ease the operations of the community-based health insurance scheme, commonly known as Mutuelle de Sante.

This was disclosed on Friday at the closure of a four-day training of trainers workshop on the management system for Mutuelle de Sante.

The workshop was organised by the Ministry of Health in partnership with Integrated Health Systems Strengthening projects supported by Usaid.

The Ministry of Health already shares information through Health Management Information System (HMIS) database. During the workshop, the facilitators helped district officials acquaint themselves with the newly-created database known as District Health Information System (DHIS).

Participants said the workshop helped them acquire skills on the new Mutuelle de Sante membership management system and the skills in using the weekly and monthly reporting system through DHIS.

 Jean Louis Mukunzi, the acting Director of Health Financing Unit at the Ministry of Health, said the system will make reporting easier than before when they used to get reports late and in hard copy form.

He added that it will help them get timely information to ensure well-timed intervention where it is required.

"It will also help in identifying members who paid their health insurances and curb fraud among beneficiaries,” he said.

According to Anastasie Urusaro, the director of Community Based Health Insurance at Muhanga District, the use of ICT in weekly and monthly reporting will simplify their work.

The new system, to be rolled out soon, will also enable beneficiaries remit their premiums using their mobile phones and easily know their categories in Ubudehe programme.