Universal Health Coverage : Pilot Phase Announced For 2023

The Minister of Public Health, Manaouda Malachie has stated that the pilot phase of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) policy will be implemented in 2023. The Minister who was presenting progress made in reforming the health system in Cameroon to lawmakers during a special plenary sitting at the National Assembly on December 8, 2022, said they are committed to seeing the pilot phase take off in the first quarter of next year. The plenary sitting was chaired by Deputy Vice Speaker, Datouo Théodore. 
Minister Manaouda Malachie said the organisation, structuring and elaboration of the methodology of enrollment, beneficiaries, procedure to get social payments and outlining a strategic communication plan of UHC have already been done. For the financing of the pilot phase, he noted that the budget of the Ministry of Public Health will cover the cost and the primary beneficiaries will be pregnant women and children below the age of five years. Pregnant women will receive medical attention throughout the pregnancy till the born baby is 42 days old. Priority ailments will be malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, respiratory issues and Hepatitis B and C.
As per governance and implantation, the Minister said a legal instrument is being prepared to that effect and will soon be brought to Parliament for consideration. Meanwhile, five sources of financing, the Minister said, have been identified for UHC and they are; from the State through taxes and technical partners, social contributions, State subvention, informal contribution and other investments. The Minister added that an interministerial committee was created on May 6, 2021 which does follow up and 20 enrollment centres have been set in eight regions of the county. Minister Manaouda Malachie told the legislators that 10 ...