WESTERN PROVINCE

RUBAVU — Dr. Claude Sekabaraga, an official in charge of Planning in the Ministry of Health, has said 90 percent of Rwandans countrywide have joined health insurance. He was speaking at a three-day recent meeting at Serena Kivu Sun Hotel in Gisenyi recently.

The meeting, that brought together various health officials in the country including those from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and GTZ, was meant to evaluate the achievements and failures of the health insurance policy.

While officially opening the meeting, Sekabaraga explained that 85 percent of Rwandans were enrolled in health insurance commonly referred to as Mutuelle de Sante, while five percent belong to other health insurances such as RAMA and MMI.

He disclosed that the ministry is doing everything possible to have the remaining 10 percent that are not registered under any insurance schemes to join Mutuelle de Sante because it’s the cheapest and operates in all government health centres countrywide. He hailed the contribution of the health insurance schemes in enhancing improved health.

Sekabaraga noted that research indicates that in 2001 only 23 percent of Rwandans afforded medical care, while the remaining 77 percent used traditional means which increased adult death and infant mortality rates.

"Today 200% of residents have full access to medical care; that is to say, they access medical care at least twice a year,” he explained.

He observed that health insurance schemes have greatly reduced infant mortality rates because mothers are able to access antenatal care during their pregnancy.

According to Sekabaraga, the government has controlled malaria infection which is the leading cause of infants death.

"There has been a tremendous decrease in deaths caused by malaria these days due the campaign against the disease. Expectant mothers are sleeping under mosquito nets while the few malaria patients have access to good medical care due to Mutuelle de Santé,” he said.

Fred Rugumira, one of the participants and a health work said that health insurance has reduced conflicts hither caused by patients who were incapable of meeting medical bills.

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