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X-WR-CALNAME:Denis & Lenora Foretia Foundation | Catalyzing Africa's Economic Transformation
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:20260619T150000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260619T160000
DTSTAMP:20260603T230612
CREATED:20260318T150400Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260424T163032Z
UID:10000412-1781881200-1781884800@www.foretiafoundation.org
SUMMARY:Strengthening Governance of Private Health Insurance in Cameroon
DESCRIPTION:Date: June 19\, 2026\nTime: 3:00–4:00 PM (GMT+1)\nVenue: Zoom Online (Register now) \nBackground & Rationale\nCameroon continues to grapple with unequal access to quality healthcare\, driven by financial barriers\, geographic disparities and heterogeneity in service quality. Private Health Insurance (PHI) is increasingly viewed as a complementary financing mechanism that can expand financial protection and reduce catastrophic out?of?pocket expenditure. Yet\, PHI’s contribution to Universal Health Coverage (UHC) objectives remains constrained by governance gaps: unclear accountability arrangements\, weak oversight and reporting\, limited transparency in benefits and claims\, insufficient consumer protection\, and fragmented coordination between health and insurance authorities. \nImproving PHI governance is therefore a policy priority. Clarifying the regulatory framework\, strengthening supervision and enforcement\, establishing uniform disclosure standards\, and enhancing consumer protection can increase trust and predictability for beneficiaries and providers. This webinar will translate these issues into concrete\, actionable reforms that align PHI with national health financing goals. \nObjectives\nGeneral Objective: Strengthen understanding of practical strategies to improve the governance of PHI in Cameroon and align it with UHC goals. \nSpecific Objectives: \n\nDiagnose current governance challenges across the PHI value chain (licensing\, product design\, marketing\, contracting\, claims\, dispute resolution).\nReview applicable legal and regulatory instruments and identify gaps or ambiguities affecting implementation and enforcement.\nAssess supervision\, monitoring and reporting arrangements\, including data standards and enforcement tools.\nPropose feasible transparency and accountability measures to protect consumers and improve market conduct.\nOutline a coordination roadmap between health and insurance authorities to align PHI with national priorities.\n\nGuiding Questions\n\nWhich governance weaknesses most undermine PHI trust and uptake today\, and why?\nWhat specific regulatory clarifications or secondary instruments are needed in the short term?\nHow can supervision and reporting be strengthened without imposing excessive administrative burdens?\nWhat consumer protection mechanisms (complaints handling\, dispute resolution\, claim denials review) are most urgent to institutionalize?\nHow should health and insurance authorities coordinate purchasing\, quality\, and data standards?\n\nExpected Outputs\n\nA concise problem–solution map of PHI governance gaps and priority fixes (presented during the webinar).\nA policy brief (4–6 pages) detailing actionable recommendations\, responsible institutions\, and an indicative timeline.\nA coordination note outlining roles of Ministry of Public Health\, Ministry of Finance/Insurance Directorate\, and other stakeholders.\nStakeholder interest captured via post?event outreach to support regulatory updates and pilots.\n\nTarget Audience\n\nMinistry of Public Health; Ministry of Finance/Insurance Directorate; social security and labor authorities.\nInsurance companies\, third?party administrators\, and provider networks.\nCivil society and consumer protection organizations.\nHealth economists\, health financing practitioners and academics.\nDevelopment partners and technical agencies supporting UHC and insurance reform.\n\nAbout the Organizers\nThe Denis & Lenora Foretia Foundation was established to catalyze 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 with governments\, policymakers\, private enterprises\, civil society organizations and development partners to expand opportunities and improve livelihoods. \nThe Nkafu Policy Institute is an independent think tank at the Foretia Foundation that provides in?depth\, evidence?based policy recommendations to advance inclusive development in Cameroon and across Africa. The Institute convenes experts\, conducts rigorous research\, and leads policy dialogues across governance\, health\, economic policy\, science and technology. \nContact\nDenis & Lenora Foretia Foundation / Nkafu Policy Institute\nOpposite Collège Jésus?Marie – Simbock\, P.O. Box 14315\, Yaoundé\, Cameroon\nTel: (+237) 22 31 15 84 / 654 86 72 54 | Email: info@foretiafoundation.org| Web: www.foretiafoundation.org  |  www.nkafu.org \nREGISTER NOW
URL:https://www.foretiafoundation.org/events/strengthening-governance-of-private-health-insurance-in-cameroon/
LOCATION:Zoom Online\, Zoom Online
CATEGORIES:EPHI,Event,Events,webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.foretiafoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/strengthening1.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Nkafu Policy Institute":MAILTO:info@foretiafoundation_org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260625T090000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260625T110000
DTSTAMP:20260603T230612
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:20260603T230612
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:20260603T230612
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
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260710T150000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260710T160000
DTSTAMP:20260603T230612
CREATED:20260318T152802Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260424T163037Z
UID:10000413-1783695600-1783699200@www.foretiafoundation.org
SUMMARY:Health Insurance under the CIMA Code: Comparative Implementation Models Across Member States
DESCRIPTION:Date: July 10\, 2026\nTime: 3:00–4:00 PM (GMT+1)\nVenue: Zoom Online (Register now) \nBackground & Rationale\nThe Inter?African Conference on Insurance Markets (CIMA) provides a unified insurance code intended to harmonize regulatory standards across its member states. Despite convergence at the level of legal provisions\, implementation practices vary significantly due to differences in institutional capacity\, supervisory approaches\, data systems\, and coordination between insurance regulators and health authorities. \nA focused comparison of implementation models can reveal practices associated with efficiency\, transparency\, consumer confidence\, and better alignment with health financing goals. By identifying practical steps to strengthen supervision\, product approval\, claims oversight\, and insurer–provider contracting\, the webinar aims to inform national reform agendas while supporting regional learning within the CIMA zone. \nObjectives\nGeneral Objective: Analyze and compare how selected CIMA member states implement health insurance regulation in practice and extract lessons for reform. \nSpecific Objectives: \n\nMap operational supervisory models (licensing\, market conduct\, solvency\, reporting).\nCompare administrative practices in product approval and claims oversight.\nExamine insurer–provider contractual arrangements and payment systems.\nIdentify consumer protection mechanisms and transparency requirements that build trust.\nGenerate cross?country lessons relevant to UHC and health financing reform strategies.\n\nComparative Lens & Discussion Areas\n\nInstitutional arrangements and division of responsibilities among authorities.\nData standards\, reporting frequency\, and digital supervision tools.\nBenefit design disclosure\, network adequacy\, and portability/continuity of care.\nComplaints handling\, dispute resolution\, and sanctions.\nCoordination with health ministries to align purchasing and quality standards.\n\nExpected Outputs\n\nComparative matrix of implementation practices across selected member states.\nRegional learning brief with promising practices and pitfalls to avoid.\nActionable recommendations for national regulators and regional coordination bodies.\nAgenda for a follow?up technical clinic focused on data and reporting standards.\n\nTarget Audience\n\nInsurance supervisory authorities within the CIMA zone.\nMinistries of Health\, Finance\, Labour/Social Security.\nPrivate health insurers and provider associations.\nDevelopment partners and regional policy institutions.\nResearchers and health financing reform teams.\n\nAbout the Organizers\nThe Denis & Lenora Foretia Foundation was established to catalyze 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 with governments\, policymakers\, private enterprises\, civil society organizations and development partners to expand opportunities and improve livelihoods. \nThe Nkafu Policy Institute is an independent think tank at the Foretia Foundation that provides in?depth\, evidence?based policy recommendations to advance inclusive development in Cameroon and across Africa. The Institute convenes experts\, conducts rigorous research\, and leads policy dialogues across governance\, health\, economic policy\, science and technology. \nContact\nDenis & Lenora Foretia Foundation / Nkafu Policy Institute\nOpposite Collège Jésus?Marie – Simbock\, P.O. Box 14315\, Yaoundé\, Cameroon\nTel: (+237) 22 31 15 84 / 654 86 72 54 | Email: info@foretiafoundation.org| Web: www.foretiafoundation.org  |  www.nkafu.org \nREGISTER NOW
URL:https://www.foretiafoundation.org/events/health-insurance-under-the-cima-code-comparative-implementation-models-across-member-states/
LOCATION:Zoom Online\, Zoom Online
CATEGORIES:EPHI,Event,Events,webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.foretiafoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/health-insurance1.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Nkafu Policy Institute":MAILTO:info@foretiafoundation_org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260716T090000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260716T110000
DTSTAMP:20260603T230612
CREATED:20260403T092640Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260603T084940Z
UID:10000416-1784192400-1784199600@www.foretiafoundation.org
SUMMARY:8th Operational Working Group: “The WHO PEN-Plus Framework: Pathways to Equitable Chronic Disease Coverage through Private Health Insurance in Cameroon”
DESCRIPTION:Date: July 16\, 2026\nTime: 09:00am – 11:00am\nVenue: COFE Hotel\, Yaoundé \nBackground \nNon-communicable diseases (NCDs) represent a growing public health and economic challenge in Cameroon\, accounting for an estimated 38% of all deaths and exposing households to significant financial hardship. With out-of-pocket payments representing over 65% of total health expenditure\, many Cameroonian households—particularly those affected by chronic conditions—face catastrophic health expenditures when seeking care. This burden is exacerbated by the long-term and predictable costs associated with chronic diseases such as diabetes\, hypertension\, sickle cell disease\, and cardiovascular conditions. \nWhile private health insurance (PHI) has the potential to complement public health financing efforts and improve financial protection\, coverage for chronic diseases remains largely excluded from PHI schemes in Cameroon. Insurers often perceive pre-existing and long-term conditions as financially risky\, resulting in exclusions\, waiting periods\, or unaffordable premiums. These challenges are further compounded by health system weaknesses\, including underdiagnosis\, limited access to specialized care\, and fragmented service delivery. \nThe World Health Organization’s PEN-Plus strategy offers a promising pathway to address these challenges. By standardizing and decentralizing the management of severe and chronic NCDs to first-level referral facilities\, PEN-Plus improves continuity\, predictability\, and quality of care. Cameroon has made initial progress in adopting PEN-Plus into national policies and operational plans; however\, implementation remains limited\, and the strategy has yet to be fully leveraged as a foundation for financial protection mechanisms\, including private health insurance. \nAgainst this backdrop\, the Health Policy and Research Division of the Nkafu Policy Institute developed the policy brief “The WHO PEN-Plus: A Framework to Promote Equitable Chronic Disease Coverage in Private Health Insurance.” This Operational Working Group (OWG) aims to build on the evidence presented in the brief to practically explore how PEN-Plus can be strategically linked with PHI reforms to enable equitable\, sustainable\, and inclusive coverage of chronic diseases in Cameroon. \nObjectives \n\nTo examine the findings and recommendations of the policy brief and assess their implications for chronic disease coverage under private health insurance in Cameroon.\nTo assess the feasibility of aligning the WHO PEN-Plus framework with private health insurance design\, financing\, and regulatory mechanisms.\nTo develop a structured and time-bound roadmap outlining priority actions\, responsible stakeholders\, and implementation pathways to promote equitable chronic disease coverage under private health insurance.\n\nExpected Outputs \nThe expected outputs are: \n\nRefined and validated priority recommendations to leverage PEN-Plus for private health insurance schemes design.\nA shared understanding of the key policy and operational reforms required to expand chronic disease coverage.\nA clear implementation roadmap detailing short-\, medium-\, and long-term actions\, lead institutions\, and coordination mechanisms.\n\nTarget Participants \nThis OWG will gather government representatives from the Ministry of Public Health (NCD and health financing units); officials from the Ministry of Finance and insurance regulatory bodies; private health insurance providers and actuarial experts; clinicians and program managers involved in NCD care and PEN-Plus implementation; health economists and health systems researchers; civil society organizations and patient advocacy groups representing people living with chronic diseases; development partners and technical agencies supporting NCD and UHC initiatives. \nVenue & Date \nThis OWG will take place on July 16\, 2026\, at COFE hotel (Yaoundé) from 09:00am – 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/8th-operational-working-group/
LOCATION:Cofe Hotel\, Yaounde\, Cameroon
CATEGORIES:EPHI,Event,Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.foretiafoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/8th-OWG.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Nkafu Policy Institute":MAILTO:info@foretiafoundation_org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260716T113000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260716T133000
DTSTAMP:20260603T230612
CREATED:20260403T093533Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260603T085120Z
UID:10000417-1784201400-1784208600@www.foretiafoundation.org
SUMMARY:9th Operational Working Group: “Lessons from Community-Based Health Insurance for Scaling Universal Health Coverage in Cameroon”
DESCRIPTION:Date: July 16\, 2026\nTime: 11:00am – 1:30pm\nVenue: COFE Hotel\, Yaoundé \nBackground \nCameroon’s health financing system remains heavily reliant on out-of-pocket payments\, exposing households to financial hardship and limiting access to essential health services. Although the government launched Phase I of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) program in 2023\, implementation remains selective and leaves significant segments of the population—particularly informal sector workers and rural communities—without adequate financial protection. \nCommunity-Based Health Insurance (CBHI) schemes have long been viewed as grassroots mechanisms to improve healthcare access and financial protection among underserved populations. In Cameroon\, CBHI initiatives have demonstrated strengths in fostering community trust\, promoting risk pooling at the local level\, and improving healthcare utilization among members. However\, challenges such as limited scale\, weak financial sustainability\, fragmented governance\, and insufficient integration into national health financing frameworks have constrained their broader impact. \nThe Nkafu Policy Institute’s paper “Lessons from Community-Based Health Insurance for Scaling Universal Health Coverage in Cameroon” highlights critical insights from CBHI experiences and outlines strategic lessons for strengthening and scaling health coverage nationwide. As Cameroon seeks to expand private health insurance (PHI) and accelerate progress toward UHC\, these lessons offer valuable guidance on inclusivity\, trust-building\, risk pooling\, governance\, and sustainability. \nThis Operational Working Group (OWG) aims to critically examine the paper’s recommendations and engage key stakeholders in developing a practical roadmap for leveraging CBHI experiences to strengthen and scale universal health coverage in Cameroon\, including synergies with private health insurance mechanisms \nObjectives \n\nTo examine and validate the recommendations of the policy brief on Community-Based Health Insurance (CBHI) and its relevance for scaling Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Cameroon.\nTo identify policy\, regulatory\, and institutional gaps limiting the implementation and sustainability of proposed recommendations.\nDevelop a practical and time-bound roadmap for leveraging CBHI lessons to strengthen UHC implementation and inform the expansion of inclusive private health insurance mechanisms.\n\nExpected Outputs \nThe expected outputs are: \n\nPriority policy insights from the CBHI experience validated by stakeholders and applicable to national UHC and PHI reforms.\nA clear articulation of key reform areas\, including governance\, financing\, risk pooling\, community engagement\, and institutional coordination.\nA structured roadmap outlining short-\, medium-\, and long-term actions\, identifying responsible actors and strategic entry points for implementation of the validated recommendations.\n\nTarget Participants \nThis Operational Working Group will convene representatives from the Ministry of Public Health\, particularly the UHC units\, the Ministry of Finance\, and relevant regulatory authorities\, alongside managers of Community-Based Health Insurance schemes\, private health insurance providers\, health economists\, and health systems researchers. The session will also include civil society organizations\, community leaders\, and development partners involved in health financing and social protection reforms. \nVenue & Date \nThis OWG will take place on July 16\, 2026\, at COFE hotel (Yaoundé) from 11:00am – 1:30pm. \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/9th-operational-working-group/
LOCATION:Cofe Hotel\, Yaounde\, Cameroon
CATEGORIES:EPHI,Event,Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.foretiafoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/9th-OWG.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Nkafu Policy Institute":MAILTO:info@foretiafoundation_org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260716T140000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260716T160000
DTSTAMP:20260603T230612
CREATED:20260403T103538Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260603T085134Z
UID:10000418-1784210400-1784217600@www.foretiafoundation.org
SUMMARY:10th Operational Working Group: “Expanding Private Health Insurance in Cameroon: Insights\, Challenges\, and a Roadmap for Inclusive Coverage”
DESCRIPTION:Date: July 16\, 2026\nTime: 2:00pm – 4:00pm\nVenue: COFE Hotel\, Yaoundé\, Cameroon \nBackground \nThe research report “Expanding Private Health Insurance in Cameroon: Insights\, Challenges\, and a Roadmap for Inclusive Coverage” is developed within the framework of a broader project aimed at strengthening health financial protection and accelerating progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Cameroon. Drawing on primary research\, operational working groups\, policy briefs\, and peer-reviewed publications\, the report synthesizes extensive evidence to propose a strategic and actionable roadmap for expanding private health insurance (PHI) in an inclusive\, equitable\, and sustainable manner. \nThe report examines Cameroon’s healthcare and health insurance landscape\, governance and regulatory frameworks\, equity and inclusion gaps\, consumer trust and perceptions\, digital innovation pathways\, and the integration of PHI within the UHC agenda. It culminates in a structured roadmap built around strategic pillars including regulatory strengthening\, inclusive coverage models\, public–private collaboration\, digital systems\, public awareness\, and sustainability mechanisms. \nAs the project approaches its consolidation phase\, it is essential to validate the proposed structure\, strategic pillars and action points with key stakeholders to ensure relevance\, feasibility\, and ownership. This Operational Working Group (OWG) will provide a platform for expert review\, constructive feedback\, and consensus-building around the report’s final recommendations and implementation roadmap. \nObjectives \n\nTo review and validate the proposed structure\, analytical framework\, and strategic pillars of the research report.\nTo assess the feasibility and relevance of the proposed recommendations in light of Cameroon’s institutional\, regulatory\, and market realities.\nTo refine and strengthen the roadmap for implementation\, identifying priority actions\, responsible stakeholders\, and realistic sequencing of reforms.\n\nExpected Outputs \nThe expected outputs are: \n\nA validated and strengthened outline of the research report\, reflecting stakeholder inputs and technical alignment.\nA refined set of actionable and prioritized recommendations for expanding private health insurance in Cameroon.\nClear guidance on implementation pathways\, including institutional responsibilities\, coordination mechanisms\, and monitoring considerations.\n\nTarget Participants \nThis Operational Working Group will convene senior representatives from the Ministry of Public Health\, Ministry of Finance\, and regulatory authorities\, alongside private health insurance providers\, health economists\, legal and governance experts\, digital health innovators\, civil society organizations\, and development partners. Participation will prioritize individuals with decision-making authority and technical expertise to ensure that the validation process produces practical and implementable outcomes. \nVenue & Date \nThis OWG will take place on July 16\, 2026\, at COFE hotel (Yaoundé) from 2:00pm – 4:00pm. \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/10th-operational-working-group-expanding-private-health-insurance-in-cameroon-insights-challenges-and-a-roadmap-for-inclusive-coverage/
LOCATION:Cofe Hotel\, Yaounde\, Cameroon
CATEGORIES:EPHI,Event,Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.foretiafoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/10th-OWG.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Nkafu Policy Institute":MAILTO:info@foretiafoundation_org
END:VEVENT
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