Ivory Coast Boosts CMU Enrollment with Mobile Centers, Aims to Cover 20 Million by Year's End
Ivory Coast's government is boosting efforts to expand its universal health coverage program, CMU. Mobile enrollment centers have been introduced to tackle accessibility issues and increase participation in the health insurance program. The health minister aims to enroll 20 million residents by the end of the year.
Since its 2019 launch, the CMU program has faced challenges in reaching its target population. Only about 40% of Ivory Coast's residents have enrolled so far. The program aims to cover 70% of healthcare costs for a monthly fee of approximately $1.65. However, some residents have encountered issues with the acceptance of CMU cards at medical facilities and hospital vouchers at pharmacies, leading to out-of-pocket expenses.
To address these issues, mobile enrollment centers have been set up in busy markets and remote neighborhoods. These centers facilitate easier sign-up processes and immediate issuance of CMU cards. Despite the challenges, some residents remain optimistic about the potential benefits of the health insurance program.
Ivory Coast is committed to improving healthcare accessibility and affordability through the CMU program. The introduction of mobile enrollment centers is a step towards increasing participation and reaching the target of 20 million enrolled residents by the end of the year. Residents and officials alike hope that these efforts will lead to a more inclusive and effective healthcare system.
