Religious leaders have asked the government to consider introducing individual premiums for the community-based health insurance scheme, Mutuelle de Santé, rather than considering households.

Under the current arrangement, a family can only start benefiting from Mutuelle de Santé after everyone has paid their premiums.

This, clerics say, has left the most vulnerable in families such as children and the elderly, out of the scheme even when their premiums have been paid for by well-wishers.

The clerics raised the issue during a consultative meeting with the Minister for Local Government, saying at times, members of their congregation take an initiative to help the needy in communities but some beneficiaries end up waiting for months to access the services because some members of their family have not paid.

The meeting, also attended by district leaders and provincial governors, aimed at seeking ways to improve coordination between religious leaders and government to improve the social sector in areas like health, education, reconciliation, security and poverty eradication.

"We have a big problem where we pay money for the most vulnerable in families but they are not allowed to get insurance cards because other family members have not yet paid. This should be revised to ensure that those whose premiums have been paid can access medical services,” said Bishop Smaragde Mbonyintege, the president of the Episcopal Council of the Catholic Church.

RSSB to seek compromise

Mbonyintege said even when, say in a family of 10, three have not paid their premiums, none will access services, which he said should be revised.

"We have 250 children under the support of Compassion International and 147 supported under our church programme but most of them cannot be treated because their families have not yet got money for all children in their families. In the end, the money just remains on accounts, and our beneficiaries cannot be treated,” said Jackson Uwimbabazi, from the Presbyterian Church.

During the meeting, officials from Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB), which has since taken over the insurance scheme, said they would consider allowing families to start accessing services once at least half of the members have paid.

This, however, would require sensitisation to ensure that they pay for the remaining members as soon as possible, and the clerics were urged to use their influence to sensitise the congregations to pay the premiums on time.

Local Government Mminister Francis Kaboneka urged church leaders to desist from wrangles.

"As religious leaders, we expect you to provide divine guidance to your people, but some of you have been wrangling over material benefits, which is absurd. You should be role models for Christians,” he said.

The minister also urged them to take a lead role in ensuring that members of their congregation have access to social amenities like health, saying in ill-health, one will not get what the preacher says from the pulpit.

The dialogue recommended strong collaboration with local leaders through the joint action development forum at districts level to avoid duplication of efforts.

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