More than 20 percent of Rwandans are not insured, and because of the underlying risks associated with it, government is unsettled.
As a result, a national wide-ranging campaign has been launched by the government to sensitize the masses to ensure the remaining population is secured by the end of 2021.
RSSB statistics say that the government currently covers a contribution worth about Rwf6 billion for about two million people as a subsidy out of the 9.4 million Rwandans who are insured.
More than seven million people contribute in three categories: Rwf3,000 for Ubudehe category 2&3, and Rwf7,000 for category 4.
The net expenditure, however, does not equal what government spends to pay for medical bills.
In the recent past, total government spending on health has been rising but contributions are not increasing. The overall budget for the health sector rose to Rwf200.8 billion in 2018/19, up from Rwf197.4 billion in 2017/18.
With annual contributions of Rwf32.8 billion, including government subsidies, and a total expenditure of Rwf47.4 billion, Mutuelle de Santé faces a funding shortfall of Rwf14.6 billion annually, according to RSSB statistics.
The deficit has now widened to Rwf20 billion, however, thereby exerting more pressure on government.
If the remaining 21 percent can contribute, argues the government, there may be increased support for the country’s largest insurance scheme, which provides for 88 percent of Rwanda’s 12 million people for their healthcare needs.
RSSB’s Director-General, Regis Rugemanshuro, said he hopes the public will take this matter seriously because health insurance is a priority in the lives of all. He told journalists Friday that a campaign will be rolled out by RSSB along with other organs.
