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Assessment of the Viability of Community-Based Health Insurance Schemes in the Ziguinchor Department from 2016 to 2018 in the Context of Universal Health Coverage (Senegal)

Received: 11 September 2024     Accepted: 29 September 2024     Published: 29 October 2024
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Abstract

Introduction: This study examines the viability of community-based health insurance schemes in the Ziguinchor department of Senegal from 2016 to 2018, within the context of universal health coverage. Health insurance schemes have emerged as a promising solution to extend social health protection to informal sector workers and rural populations. However, despite political support, these structures face persistent challenges in terms of enrollment, member retention, and management. The study aims to assess the viability of these schemes, as well as the perceptions of various stakeholders on mutual health insurance. Methodology: The study adopted a mixed approach, combining quantitative and qualitative methods, based on the theoretical framework developed with the support of the International Labor Office (ILO). This framework evaluates the viability of health insurance schemes according to four dimensions: institutional, technical, functional, and financial/economic. A questionnaire with 87 questions was used to collect quantitative data on these aspects from the seven health insurance schemes in the Ziguinchor department. For the qualitative component, focus groups and individual interviews were conducted with various actors, including beneficiaries, non-beneficiaries, community leaders, scheme managers, and healthcare providers. Results: The study's findings reveal a complex situation for the health insurance schemes in the Ziguinchor department. Institutionally, the schemes have a solid foundation with legal status, internal regulations, and affiliation to a departmental union. Technically, membership is voluntary and family-based, with control mechanisms in place, although their effectiveness is limited. Functional viability shows positive signs with a membership growth rate of 20.18%, but the overall penetration rate remains low at 16.99%, and the premium collection rate is very low, averaging 26.78%. The financial situation is particularly of concern: no scheme can meet its short or long-term debts, and the average claims ratio is excessively high at 282%. As for stakeholder perceptions, they are mixed: while the schemes are generally considered beneficial, significant practical difficulties are identified, including lack of information, funding problems, and procedural complexity. Conclusion: The study highlights the complexity of the role of health insurance schemes in the quest for universal health coverage. Despite undeniable strengths, the schemes face considerable challenges in terms of functional and financial viability. Corrective measures are necessary, including strengthening management capacities, innovating premium collection methods, and improving communication. An evolution of the model is also suggested, potentially towards greater integration into a national social protection system or the development of innovative public-private partnerships.

Published in International Journal of Health Economics and Policy (Volume 9, Issue 4)
DOI 10.11648/j.hep.20240904.12
Page(s) 107-116
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Health Insurance, Mutual Health Insurance, Sustainability, Evaluation

References
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[18] World Health Organization WH. World Health Report: Financing Health Systems: The Path to Universal Coverage. World Health Organization; 2010 p. xxiv, 120 p.
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    Tacko, D. C., Mouhamed, F. S., Mareme, S. N., Selly, L. M., Boubacar, G., et al. (2024). Assessment of the Viability of Community-Based Health Insurance Schemes in the Ziguinchor Department from 2016 to 2018 in the Context of Universal Health Coverage (Senegal). International Journal of Health Economics and Policy, 9(4), 107-116. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.hep.20240904.12

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    ACS Style

    Tacko, D. C.; Mouhamed, F. S.; Mareme, S. N.; Selly, L. M.; Boubacar, G., et al. Assessment of the Viability of Community-Based Health Insurance Schemes in the Ziguinchor Department from 2016 to 2018 in the Context of Universal Health Coverage (Senegal). Int. J. Health Econ. Policy 2024, 9(4), 107-116. doi: 10.11648/j.hep.20240904.12

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    AMA Style

    Tacko DC, Mouhamed FS, Mareme SN, Selly LM, Boubacar G, et al. Assessment of the Viability of Community-Based Health Insurance Schemes in the Ziguinchor Department from 2016 to 2018 in the Context of Universal Health Coverage (Senegal). Int J Health Econ Policy. 2024;9(4):107-116. doi: 10.11648/j.hep.20240904.12

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  • @article{10.11648/j.hep.20240904.12,
      author = {Diop Cheikh Tacko and Fall Seydina Mouhamed and Sougou Ndeye Mareme and Ly Mamadou Selly and Gueye Boubacar and Bop Martial Coly and Ka Ousseynou and Leye Mamadou Mactar Mbacke},
      title = {Assessment of the Viability of Community-Based Health Insurance Schemes in the Ziguinchor Department from 2016 to 2018 in the Context of Universal Health Coverage (Senegal)},
      journal = {International Journal of Health Economics and Policy},
      volume = {9},
      number = {4},
      pages = {107-116},
      doi = {10.11648/j.hep.20240904.12},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.hep.20240904.12},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.hep.20240904.12},
      abstract = {Introduction: This study examines the viability of community-based health insurance schemes in the Ziguinchor department of Senegal from 2016 to 2018, within the context of universal health coverage. Health insurance schemes have emerged as a promising solution to extend social health protection to informal sector workers and rural populations. However, despite political support, these structures face persistent challenges in terms of enrollment, member retention, and management. The study aims to assess the viability of these schemes, as well as the perceptions of various stakeholders on mutual health insurance. Methodology: The study adopted a mixed approach, combining quantitative and qualitative methods, based on the theoretical framework developed with the support of the International Labor Office (ILO). This framework evaluates the viability of health insurance schemes according to four dimensions: institutional, technical, functional, and financial/economic. A questionnaire with 87 questions was used to collect quantitative data on these aspects from the seven health insurance schemes in the Ziguinchor department. For the qualitative component, focus groups and individual interviews were conducted with various actors, including beneficiaries, non-beneficiaries, community leaders, scheme managers, and healthcare providers. Results: The study's findings reveal a complex situation for the health insurance schemes in the Ziguinchor department. Institutionally, the schemes have a solid foundation with legal status, internal regulations, and affiliation to a departmental union. Technically, membership is voluntary and family-based, with control mechanisms in place, although their effectiveness is limited. Functional viability shows positive signs with a membership growth rate of 20.18%, but the overall penetration rate remains low at 16.99%, and the premium collection rate is very low, averaging 26.78%. The financial situation is particularly of concern: no scheme can meet its short or long-term debts, and the average claims ratio is excessively high at 282%. As for stakeholder perceptions, they are mixed: while the schemes are generally considered beneficial, significant practical difficulties are identified, including lack of information, funding problems, and procedural complexity. Conclusion: The study highlights the complexity of the role of health insurance schemes in the quest for universal health coverage. Despite undeniable strengths, the schemes face considerable challenges in terms of functional and financial viability. Corrective measures are necessary, including strengthening management capacities, innovating premium collection methods, and improving communication. An evolution of the model is also suggested, potentially towards greater integration into a national social protection system or the development of innovative public-private partnerships.},
     year = {2024}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Assessment of the Viability of Community-Based Health Insurance Schemes in the Ziguinchor Department from 2016 to 2018 in the Context of Universal Health Coverage (Senegal)
    AU  - Diop Cheikh Tacko
    AU  - Fall Seydina Mouhamed
    AU  - Sougou Ndeye Mareme
    AU  - Ly Mamadou Selly
    AU  - Gueye Boubacar
    AU  - Bop Martial Coly
    AU  - Ka Ousseynou
    AU  - Leye Mamadou Mactar Mbacke
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    PY  - 2024
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.hep.20240904.12
    DO  - 10.11648/j.hep.20240904.12
    T2  - International Journal of Health Economics and Policy
    JF  - International Journal of Health Economics and Policy
    JO  - International Journal of Health Economics and Policy
    SP  - 107
    EP  - 116
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2578-9309
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.hep.20240904.12
    AB  - Introduction: This study examines the viability of community-based health insurance schemes in the Ziguinchor department of Senegal from 2016 to 2018, within the context of universal health coverage. Health insurance schemes have emerged as a promising solution to extend social health protection to informal sector workers and rural populations. However, despite political support, these structures face persistent challenges in terms of enrollment, member retention, and management. The study aims to assess the viability of these schemes, as well as the perceptions of various stakeholders on mutual health insurance. Methodology: The study adopted a mixed approach, combining quantitative and qualitative methods, based on the theoretical framework developed with the support of the International Labor Office (ILO). This framework evaluates the viability of health insurance schemes according to four dimensions: institutional, technical, functional, and financial/economic. A questionnaire with 87 questions was used to collect quantitative data on these aspects from the seven health insurance schemes in the Ziguinchor department. For the qualitative component, focus groups and individual interviews were conducted with various actors, including beneficiaries, non-beneficiaries, community leaders, scheme managers, and healthcare providers. Results: The study's findings reveal a complex situation for the health insurance schemes in the Ziguinchor department. Institutionally, the schemes have a solid foundation with legal status, internal regulations, and affiliation to a departmental union. Technically, membership is voluntary and family-based, with control mechanisms in place, although their effectiveness is limited. Functional viability shows positive signs with a membership growth rate of 20.18%, but the overall penetration rate remains low at 16.99%, and the premium collection rate is very low, averaging 26.78%. The financial situation is particularly of concern: no scheme can meet its short or long-term debts, and the average claims ratio is excessively high at 282%. As for stakeholder perceptions, they are mixed: while the schemes are generally considered beneficial, significant practical difficulties are identified, including lack of information, funding problems, and procedural complexity. Conclusion: The study highlights the complexity of the role of health insurance schemes in the quest for universal health coverage. Despite undeniable strengths, the schemes face considerable challenges in terms of functional and financial viability. Corrective measures are necessary, including strengthening management capacities, innovating premium collection methods, and improving communication. An evolution of the model is also suggested, potentially towards greater integration into a national social protection system or the development of innovative public-private partnerships.
    VL  - 9
    IS  - 4
    ER  - 

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