Ivory Coast Unveils Mobile Enrollment Centers to Boost Struggling Health Program

Health authorities in Ivory Coast have launched mobile enrollment centers to improve access to the country's universal health coverage program, CMU. Despite being operational since 2019, the program has enrolled only 40% of the population. Issues include enrollment challenges, voucher rejections at pharmacies, and misinformation about coverage.

Health authorities in Ivory Coast have initiated mobile enrollment centers to enhance the country's universal health coverage program, CMU. The initiative, aiming for increased accessibility, addresses criticisms of the program over difficulties accessing benefits since its 2019 launch.

Despite being one of the few West African nations offering such a health program, CMU has enrolled less than half of Ivory Coast's population in five years. Intended to subsidize 70% of healthcare costs for a monthly fee of 1,000 West African CFA francs (approximately USD 1.65), the program has faced challenges, including enrollment obstacles and voucher rejections at pharmacies.

The new mobile centers, appearing in markets and remote neighborhoods, facilitate immediate enrollment and provide participants with cards for healthcare access at hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies. Health Minister Pierre Dimba emphasized that the mobile centers aim to reach individuals unable to enroll due to long working hours. He hopes the effort will help enroll 20 million Ivorians by year's end, promoting CMU as a fundamental insurance plan for all citizens, supplemented by private insurance.

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