THROUGH MUTUELLE,RWANDA HAS LESSONS FOR AFRICA

As the 59th session of World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa kicks off, it’s important that the summit reflects on the key impediments that continue to stifle this sector. Across the continent, the issues of universal access to quality and affordable health services remain big challenges. Good enough, Rwanda seems to have crafted innovative solutions that tackle these problems head-on that the rest of Africa could emulate. Within Mutuelle de Sante, a community based health insurance scheme, Rwanda has not only addressed the challenge of affordability but also that of universal access. Mutuelles are community-based health organisations that offer voluntary, non-profit health insurance schemes for the entire population. They are formed on the basis of mutual aid and collective pooling of resources at local sector and central government.