Universal health care plays a crucial role in national development by contributing to several key aspects of a country’s progress and well-being. Universal health coverage (UHC) refers to the provision of health services and financial protection to all individuals without discrimination. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines UHC as ensuring "all people have access to the full range of quality health services they need, when and where they need them, without financial hardship. It covers the full continuum of essential health services, from health promotion to prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative care.”

Rwanda’s community-based health insurance programme (or CBHI), Mutuelles de Sante (Mutual Health), is a solidarity health insurance system in which persons (families) come together and pay contributions for the purpose of protection and receipt of medical care. It was established in order to help people with low-income access medical care at affordable cost and has significantly advanced universal health coverage.

Overall, Rwanda has seen incredible uptake in its insurance programme; coverage has expanded, and is currently the largest health insurance scheme in the country, with an estimated coverage rate of 85.6 percent of the target population as of April 2021.

This programme’s funds are used to help subsidise care for the citizens and clinic functionality. This allows citizens to access care and pay for services based on a tiered premium system according to socioeconomic standing.

This scheme allows members of the community to access affordable treatment at local health facilities like health centres and pay Rwf200 or just 10% of the total bill. It also allows quick access to care and assured access to authorised facilities.

A member of Community Based Health Insurance makes economic progress because of sustained health that enables a person to work hard to improve and maintain reasonable economic development and standard of living. Medical care is refundable by RSSB provided that the health facility has signed an agreement with RSSB. The Ministry of Health in collaboration with RSSB agreed on which medical procedures and drugs are to be refunded.

‘Health, it is said, is wealth’, unfortunately, the major development challenge facing the greater population around the globe, especially in low and middle-income countries is inaccessibility to health care, occasioned by the problem of healthcare financing.

Schemes like the Mutuelles de Sante are part of home-grown solutions to these challenges. There can be misconceptions and varying opinions regarding the effectiveness of community-based insurance schemes.

It’s important to note that the effectiveness of such schemes can vary based on their specific design, implementation, and context.

A comprehensive system that guarantees all individuals have access to health care services, such as universal health care, is essential to a country’s development. Universal health care encourages equity and social inclusion by giving medical care to everyone, regardless of their socioeconomic status.

A healthy population results from this, which in turn stimulates productivity and economic growth. Accessible health care services let people live longer, have better quality of life, and have lower mortality rates, allowing them to fully engage in the workforce and advance the country.

In addition to safeguarding people and families from catastrophic health care costs and keeping them from going into poverty as a result of medical bills, universal health care also lessens the financial strain on individuals and families.

Additionally, it encourages early detection and intervention, lowering the prevalence of advanced and costly diseases. By investing in universal health care, countries prioritise the well-being of their citizens, promote social cohesion, and establish a solid foundation for sustainable development.

Universal health care ensures that all citizens have access to essential health services, including preventive care, medical treatments, and medications. This leads to improved health outcomes and reduced mortality rates. Healthy citizens are more productive, contribute to economic growth, and actively participate in society.

Dr Vincent Mutabazi is an applied epidemiologist.

Twitter: @VkneeM