Ouagadougou: A significant milestone in the advancement of Burkina Faso’s healthcare system was reached with the unveiling of the draft reference framework for health acts and products, along with their pricing basis, during a comprehensive workshop. This initiative is a crucial component of the Universal Health Insurance Scheme (RAMU), aiming to streamline healthcare practices and ensure financial protection for both policyholders and healthcare providers.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the workshop serves a dual purpose: to present the RAMU and to review and validate the reference frameworks for professional acts eligible for RAMU, as well as their pricing basis. This also includes frameworks for health products, healthcare services requiring prior authorization, and the necessary legislative texts for adopting these frameworks.

S©ni Pama, the mission manager for the Pama initiative, emphasized that adopting these benchmarks is a critical step towards the effective implementation of RAMU, benefiting the Burkinabe population. Pama highlighted that these tools would be instrumental for technicians and stakeholders, including healthcare providers and consulting practitioners, by offering clarity on eligible benefits and those needing prior approval.

The three-day workshop holds immense importance for the ministries responsible for social protection and health. According to Pama, it is expected to inform the two ministers about the joint decree needed to adopt the benchmark for eligible health products and their pricing basis. He urged participants to focus on the pricing aspect, as it is integral to acquiring health care services.

Pama stressed the importance of establishing benchmarks that protect policyholders financially while ensuring the financial health of healthcare providers, thereby maintaining RAMU’s viability and sustainability. He called on participants, primarily from health centers, to leverage their experiences and expertise, keeping in mind the national context and its impact on the population.

Expressing confidence in the participants’ abilities, Pama concluded by encouraging them to collaborate effectively to achieve the workshop’s objectives.