Operational Working Group: Targeting underprivileged Populations: Inclusive Health Insurance Solutions

Project: Expanding Private Health Insurance in Cameroon
Theme:“Targeting underprivileged Populations: Inclusive Health Insurance Solutions”
Date: Wednesday 26^th March 2025
Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm
Venue: Muna Foundation, Yaoundé, Cameroon

Background

High poverty rates and low health insurance coverage lead to high out-of-pocket and often catastrophic health spendings. According to World Food Program (WFP), over 23% of Cameroonians live below the poverty line (less than 2.15 USD per person per day) and authors estimate the proportion of the population covered by any type of health insurance at about 6% (1, 4). Extreme poverty is particularly true for those living in rural parts of the far North, North, South-west and North-west regions of the country (3), where populations experience recurring climatic shocks or are torn by conflict, coupled with underdeveloped infrastructures.

Despite the recently implemented Universal Health Coverage (UHC) phase 1, only part of the population currently benefits from the packages offered while another considerable part is still left behind. Although health insurance offers both an alternative and a complement to public health coverage, it is often perceived as very expensive and accessible only to the well-off. With pervasive poverty and about 70% of workers operating in the informal sector, how can public and private actors ensure medical aid coverage is inclusive, particularly for the poor? What health insurance options are available for the underprivileged without further plugging into poverty? What strategies can be used to attract and maintain health insurance subscribers?

This operational working group seeks to explore medical aid coverage options for the underprivileged in Cameroon and discuss how to make health insurance packages more accessible and affordable.

Objectives

The objective of this OWG is to discuss ways in which health insurance coverage can be made more accessible and affordable to the underprivileged.

More specifically:

• To identify the specific needs and challenges faced by vulnerable groups in accessing health insurance.
• To discuss successful strategies and models (from other countries for example) that can be adapted to the Cameroonian context.
• To explore best practices for improving access to health insurance within the Cameroonian population.

Expected Outputs

The expected outputs are:

• Improved knowledge on the needs and challenges faced by vulnerable groups in accessing health insurance.
• Identified strategies tailored to the needs of the under underprivileged in Cameroon.
• Strengthened collaboration among various stakeholders to enhance health insurance coverage.

Targeted Audience

This OWG is intended for health insurance providers, policymakers, health economists, government officials, public health professionals, healthcare users.

Venue

This OWG will take place onsite at Muna Foundation (Yaoundé).