Enjoying health insurance when retired is a right

Retired Rwandans will be able to access health insurance.

Editor,

There are currently several health insurance programmes in Rwanda targeting specific groups of the population.

However, the biggest in terms of membership is the Mutuelle de Santé scheme, whereby participation is organized on a per household basis, with an annual payment of Rwf1000 (about US$ 2) per family member.

It is a well known fact that the growth of the health insurance system in Rwanda has been a great success. For Rwandans in the working class, there is more reason to celebrate; recently it was disclosed that pensioners could continue to enjoy the benefits of their health insurance.

Rather than being left helpless after serving their time in the public or private sector, they can still reap the fruits of their work.

I believe this is an excellent move by the government of Rwanda; being considerate towards its retired workforce.

Rwanda is the only country in sub-Saharan Africa in which 85 percent of the population participates in mutual insurance programmes for their health coverage. The rich as well as the poor, young and old, and urban and rural population are covered. 

This is something that the rest of Sub-Saharan Africa and the world at large can learn from. If citizens are covered by health insurance, then there is more productivity on their part. 

This eventually leads to the development of the economy at large and a better standard of living among citizens.

Jean Baptiste Musango Mulindi