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X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.foretiafoundation.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Denis & Lenora Foretia Foundation | Catalyzing Africa's Economic Transformation
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DTSTART:20260101T000000
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260625T090000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260625T110000
DTSTAMP:20260603T234539
CREATED:20260403T111251Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260603T084931Z
UID:10000419-1782378000-1782385200@www.foretiafoundation.org
SUMMARY:5th Operational Working Group: “Understanding Private Health Insurance Governance and Regulation in Cameroon”
DESCRIPTION:Date: June 25\, 2026\nTime: 09:00am – 11:00am\nVenue: COFE Hotel\, Yaoundé\, Cameroon \nBackground \nCameroon’s health financing system is characterized by high out-of-pocket expenditures\, putting individuals at risk for unbearable healthcare expenses\, financial vulnerability and sexclusion [1]. Although the government introduced its Universal Health Coverage (UHC) program in 2023\, current implementation remains narrow in scope leaving part of the population exposed to financial constraints when seeking healthcare [2]. \nIn response to this persistent health financial burden faced by households and the limited reach of public health financing mechanisms\, private health insurance (PHI) has emerged as an alternative pathway to enhance financial protection and complement existing public efforts towards UHC [3]. However\, the effectiveness of private health insurance depends largely on the strength of its governance and regulatory environment. In Cameroon\, significant challenges persist in PHI governance and regulation\, primarily due to fragmented oversight and weak regulatory coordination. While the Ministry of Finance and the insurance regulator (the Inter-African Conference on Insurance Markets) hold primary responsibility for licensing and financial supervision\, the Ministry of Public Health plays only a marginal role in shaping benefit packages\, monitoring service quality\, or ensuring alignment with national health priorities. Consequently\, critical aspects such as consumer protection\, provider accreditation\, and integration with universal health coverage goals remain underdeveloped. PHI schemes operate in isolation\, with inconsistent standards and minimal accountability\, creating risks of inefficiency\, inequity\, and exclusion of vulnerable populations. \nStrengthening governance and clarifying institutional roles is therefore essential to build trust and ensure that private health insurance contributes effectively to affordable and equitable access to healthcare among Cameroonians. In this light\, the Health Policy and Research Division of the Nkafu Policy Institute conducted the study “Understanding Private Health Insurance Governance and Regulation in Cameroon” under the project “Expanding Private health Insurance in Cameroon”. \nThis Operational Working Group aims at discussing the findings of the above-mentioned study and provide actionable recommendations to strengthen regulatory frameworks\, clarify institutional roles\, and promote equitable\, efficient\, and sustainable private health insurance practices in the country. \nObjectives \n\nTo examine the study findings to assess their implications for private health insurance in Cameroon.\nTo draw lessons from best practices and comparative experiences\, identifying approaches that could be adapted to the Cameroonian context.\nTo develop actionable evidence-informed strategies to strengthen regulation\, clarify institutional roles\, and enhance oversight mechanisms for private health insurance in Cameroon.\n\nExpected Outputs \nThe expected outputs are: \n\nA shared understanding among participants of the main governance and regulatory challenges identified.\nA short list of the most critical governance and regulatory gaps to address\, based on the paper’s results and participants’ perspectives.\nA preliminary set of practical strategies to strengthen regulation\, clarify institutional roles\, and enhance oversight mechanisms for private health insurance in Cameroon.\n\nTarget Participants \nThis OWG will gather government representatives (Ministry of Health\, Ministry of Finance\, Ministry of Labour and social security)\, policymakers\, insurance providers\, health economists\, subscribers and health policy experts\, public health professionals\, consumer protection groups\, CSO and healthcare users. \nVenue & Date \nThis OWG will take place onsite on June 25\, 2026\, at COFE hotel (Yaoundé) from 09:00am to 11:00am. \nAbout the Organizers \n\nAbout the Denis And Lenora Foretia Foundation\n\nThe Denis & Lenora Foretia Foundation was established to accelerate Africa’s economic transformation by focusing on social entrepreneurship\, science and technology\, innovation\, public health and progressive policies that create economic opportunities for all. The foundation works in partnership with local governments\, policy makers\, private enterprises\, civil society organizations as well as development partners to expand the resources available to entrepreneurs\, farmers\, and small business owners in addition to improving individual livelihoods. \n\nAbout the Nkafu Policy Institute\n\nThe Nkafu Policy Institute is an African think tank with a mission to provide independent\, in-depth and insightful policy recommendations that allows all Africans to prosper in free\, fair\, democratic and sustainable economies. The Institute is made up of analysts\, experts and researchers from all over the world\, working on a wide range of topics\, including governance and democracy\, health and education\, peace and security\, science and technology\, and economic policy.
URL:https://www.foretiafoundation.org/events/5th-operational-working-group/
LOCATION:Cofe Hotel\, Yaounde\, Cameroon
CATEGORIES:EPHI,Event,Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.foretiafoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/5th-OWG.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Nkafu Policy Institute":MAILTO:info@foretiafoundation_org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260625T113000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260625T133000
DTSTAMP:20260603T234539
CREATED:20260403T111916Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260603T084926Z
UID:10000420-1782387000-1782394200@www.foretiafoundation.org
SUMMARY:6th Operational Working Group: “Access to Health Insurance Coverage for Health Workers in Cameroon”
DESCRIPTION:Date: June 25\, 2026\nTime: 11:30am – 01:30pm\nVenue: COFE Hotel\, Yaoundé\, Cameroon \nBackground \nHealthcare workers are professionals who “advise on or apply preventive and curative measures\, and promote health with the ultimate goal of meeting the health needs and expectations of individuals and populations\, and improving population health outcomes” [1]. They are at the frontline of care and constitute the backbone of every strong and resilient health system. \nHealthcare professionals are often perceived as fully capable of managing their own health; however\, recent pandemics and rising workplace violence challenge this assumption [2]. Health workers often operate in environments where they are continuously exposed to infections and hazards risk\, facing significant occupational stress\, particularly in low-resource settings where protective measures and support systems are largely limited. In many African countries like Cameroon\, health workers experience very deplorable working conditions. These include low salaries\, no formal health insurance protection for them and their families etc.  adding a layer of challenge [3]. \nDespite these challenges\, particularly financial constraints\, health financial protection initiatives including Private Health Insurance (PHI) rarely include schemes specifically tailored to the unique needs and circumstances of health workers\, leaving them vulnerable within broader coverage efforts. Under Cameroon’s Labour Code\, employers are legally required to provide certain benefits to their staff such as occupational injury coverage through the National Social Insurance Fund (NSIF) but these provisions do not necessarily extend to comprehensive health insurance tailored to the broader needs of health workers [4]. \nThese factors raise critical concerns about their ability to access adequate healthcare services\, making it essential to examine whether current health insurance and coverage initiatives sufficiently address their specific needs and vulnerabilities. Ensuring the health and well-being of healthcare workers is crucial\, as it enhances the quality of care and contribute to the health system resilience necessary to attain Universal Health Coverage (UHC) [2]. \nThe aim of this Operational Working Group is to validate and refine the recommendations of the policy brief “Access to Health Insurance Coverage for Health Workers in Cameroon” and propose a clear and actionable roadmap for implementation. \nObjectives \n\nTo review and critically discuss the key recommendations of the\nTo assess the feasibility\, relevance\, and institutional implications of the proposed recommendations within Cameroon’s health financing and labor policy context.\nTo develop a clear and actionable roadmap outlining priority actions\, responsible stakeholders\, and implementation pathways to improve health insurance coverage for healthcare workers.\n\nExpected Outputs \nThe expected outputs are: \n\nA validated and refined set of priority recommendations to strengthen health insurance coverage for healthcare workers.\nA consensus on key policy and institutional actions required to address coverage gaps and barriers.\nA structured implementation roadmap\, identifying priority actions\, lead institutions\, and coordination mechanisms.\n\nTarget Participants \nThis OWG will gather policy makers (Ministry of Health\, Ministry of Labor and Social Security)\, insurance providers\, Health workers\, health economists and health policy experts\, public health professionals and CSO. \nVenue & Date \nThis OWG will take place onsite on June 25\, 2026\, at COFE Hotel (Yaoundé) from 12:00pm to 2:00pm. \nAbout the Organizers \n\nAbout the Denis And Lenora Foretia Foundation\n\nThe Denis & Lenora Foretia Foundation was established to accelerate Africa’s economic transformation by focusing on social entrepreneurship\, science and technology\, innovation\, public health and progressive policies that create economic opportunities for all. The foundation works in partnership with local governments\, policy makers\, private enterprises\, civil society organizations as well as development partners to expand the resources available to entrepreneurs\, farmers\, and small business owners in addition to improving individual livelihoods. \n\nAbout the Nkafu Policy Institute\n\nThe Nkafu Policy Institute is an African think tank with a mission to provide independent\, in-depth and insightful policy recommendations that allows all Africans to prosper in free\, fair\, democratic and sustainable economies. The Institute is made up of analysts\, experts and researchers from all over the world\, working on a wide range of topics\, including governance and democracy\, health and education\, peace and security\, science and technology\, and economic policy.
URL:https://www.foretiafoundation.org/events/6th-operational-working-group/
LOCATION:Cofe Hotel\, Yaounde\, Cameroon
CATEGORIES:EPHI,Event,Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.foretiafoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/6th-OWG.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Nkafu Policy Institute":MAILTO:info@foretiafoundation_org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260625T143000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260625T160000
DTSTAMP:20260603T234539
CREATED:20260403T091449Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260603T085155Z
UID:10000415-1782397800-1782403200@www.foretiafoundation.org
SUMMARY:7th Operational Working Group: “Private Health Insurance and Healthcare Access for the Elderly in Cameroon”
DESCRIPTION:Date: June 25\, 2026\nTime: 02:00pm – 04:00pm\nVenue: COFE Hotel\, Yaoundé \nBackground \nCameroon’s population is gradually ageing\, with an estimated 840\,000 people aged 65 years and above in 2025\, a figure projected to rise steadily in the coming decades. Ageing is accompanied by increased vulnerability to illness\, reduced income\, and growing healthcare needs\, all of which threaten the wellbeing and dignity of older adults. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension\, diabetes\, stroke\, arthritis\, cancer\, kidney disease\, and depression are highly prevalent among the elderly\, and many older people experience multimorbidity\, require frequent medical consultations\, diagnostic tests\, and long-term medication. Yet healthcare financing in Cameroon remains dominated by out-of-pocket payments\, while social protection mechanisms for older adults are weak or absent. Pension coverage reaches only a small proportion of the elderly population\, and benefits are often insufficient to meet rising healthcare costs. \nAlthough private health insurance (PHI) is expanding in Cameroon\, current schemes are poorly adapted to the risk profile and care needs of older adults. Age-related exclusions\, high premiums\, and limited coverage of chronic conditions effectively exclude most elderly people from meaningful insurance protection. Existing public initiatives\, including the first phase of Universal Health Coverage (UHC)\, prioritize maternal and child health and selected chronic conditions\, leaving significant gaps in long-term care for older people. \nIn this context\, inclusive and age-sensitive private health insurance models could play an important complementary role in improving access to healthcare and reducing catastrophic health expenditures among the elderly. The policy paper “Access to Private Health Insurance for the Elderly in Cameroon” highlights key barriers and policy options for improving coverage. This Operational Working Group (OWG) aims at building on these findings to identify practical\, equitable\, and sustainable strategies for enhancing PHI coverage for older adults in Cameroon. \nObjectives \n\nTo critically review the policy paper and discuss the main financial\, regulatory\, and structural barriers limiting access to private health insurance for the elderly.\nTo explore age-sensitive and inclusive PHI models suitable for Cameroon’s demographic and socioeconomic context.\nTo develop actionable policy and regulatory recommendations to improve health insurance coverage and healthcare access for the elderly.\n\nExpected Outputs \nThe expected outputs are: \n\nNew insights on the key healthcare and financial protection challenges faced by elderly populations in Cameroon.\nIdentified gaps in existing private health insurance schemes affecting older adults.\nPractical\, evidence-informed recommendations for designing and regulating age-sensitive PHI products.\nStrategic inputs to inform the roadmap for expanding private health insurance in Cameroon.\n\nTarget Participants \nThis OWG will gather government representatives from the Ministry of Public Health\, Social affairs and Finance; private health insurance providers and actuarial experts; Pension and social security institutions (CNPS); Geriatric care specialists and healthcare providers; health economists and health systems researchers; civil society organizations and patient advocacy groups representing older people; development partners and technical agencies working on ageing\, NCDs and social protection. \nVenue & Date \nThis OWG will take place on June 25\, 2026\, at COFE hotel (Yaoundé) from 02:00pm – 04:00am. \nAbout the Organizers \n\nAbout the Denis And Lenora Foretia Foundation\n\nThe Denis & Lenora Foretia Foundation was established to accelerate Africa’s economic transformation by focusing on social entrepreneurship\, science and technology\, innovation\, public health and progressive policies that create economic opportunities for all. The foundation works in partnership with local governments\, policy makers\, private enterprises\, civil society organizations as well as development partners to expand the resources available to entrepreneurs\, farmers\, and small business owners in addition to improving individual livelihoods. \n\nAbout the Nkafu Policy Institute\n\nThe Nkafu Policy Institute is an African think tank with a mission to provide independent\, in-depth and insightful policy recommendations that allows all Africans to prosper in free\, fair\, democratic and sustainable economies. The Institute is made up of analysts\, experts and researchers from all over the world\, working on a wide range of topics\, including governance and democracy\, health and education\, peace and security\, science and technology\, and economic policy.
URL:https://www.foretiafoundation.org/events/7th-operational-working-group/
LOCATION:Cofe Hotel\, Yaounde\, Cameroon
CATEGORIES:EPHI,Event,Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.foretiafoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/7th-OWG.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Nkafu Policy Institute":MAILTO:info@foretiafoundation_org
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