Ouagadougou: Workers in Burkina Faso’s informal sector will now be required to contribute 4,000 FCFA monthly to access Universal Health Insurance services, as announced by Minister Bassolma Bazié. This new mandate is part of the broader Universal Health Insurance Scheme (RAMU), which seeks to provide comprehensive health coverage to all citizens, regardless of their background or health history.
According to Burkina Information Agency, Minister Bazié highlighted during a recent press conference that the new scheme mandates contributions from various sectors: independent workers in the formal sector will pay 15,000 FCFA monthly, while civil servants will contribute 2.5% of their income, matched by an equal employer contribution to meet the required 5%. The scheme, established by law in 2015, has seen significant progress with the adoption of additional implementing decrees by the Transitional government, aiming to enhance social protection in the country.
Minister Bazié explained that the RAMU is designed to
alleviate financial burdens associated with illness or maternity. The scheme includes a wide range of medical services such as general medical procedures, specialized medical and surgical care, nursing, hospitalization, and medical examinations. As of October 29, 2024, over 1,500 individuals have registered and received provisional registration, with 199,112 others pre-registered, signaling a substantial uptake of the scheme.
To benefit from the health coverage, insured individuals are required to pay a 30% co-payment. The initiative aligns with Burkina Faso’s commitment to strengthening social security, as outlined in the International Labour Organization’s Convention 102 of 1952. Several locations have been designated for population registration, including the CNAMU headquarters in Ouaga 2000 and various regional directorates.
Minister Bazié acknowledged the challenges ahead, such as social mobilization, financial resource mobilization, and the acquisition of necessary logistics and IT modules. The govern
ment remains committed to adopting further implementing texts, establishing a contribution collection system, and training health workers to ensure RAMU’s effective implementation, thus safeguarding citizens’ right to health.
The RAMU, introduced by the government in September 2015, aims to provide comprehensive care in cases of illness or maternity, reflecting the authorities’ ongoing efforts to enhance the nation’s social protection framework.
