Ethiopia is to introduce a new health insurance program ratified by the House of People’s Representatives last summer. The new program will include organizations which already provide health insurance for their employees.
Permanent employees of private, governmental and non governmental organizations will contribute 3% of their salary to take part in the new health insurance program. Although organizations will be allowed the option to provide another type of health insurance they will have to participate in the program unless they have less than ten employees.
The health insurance program will be effective across the country will include coverage for families as well.
The health care offered by the insurance will be provided by public health facilities with patients going to specified medical service providers for most medical treatments with the agency compensating the institution in ten days.Private health centers will be able to participate in the program provided that they can offer competitive rates Assefa Ayde, Public Relations Officer with the ministry. The program will increase access to health care because public hospitals to rely on government and donor support he said.
Public health service providers will be able to improve their services, train highly trained professional staff and offer better medication as they become financially stronger.
The program divided between social and community based health insurance will be overseen by a sub-agency under the Ministry of Health last year.
The health insurance program is expected to take effect in July, on the first month of the financial year, according to unofficial sources with the MoH.
The Health Insurance Program was under study for two years before the decision to implement was taken. It will be financed by the Health Care Financing Project run by USAID.
Source: Capital
