30 June 2016

Why health Insurance has not been easily embraced

A woman takes care of a patient at Amuria Hospital. Experts believe the only way health insurance can be realised in Uganda is if government intervenes.  




While most Ugandans are familiar with automobile insurance and other forms of insurance, health insurance is the least talked about form of insurance.






In a span of 10 years, Uganda has witnessed the cropping up of different health insurance providers. The act of insuring one’s health is, however, not popular. Marjorie Kwikiriza, a resident of Kawempe, a Kampala suburb, regards health insurance as expensive.






She admits that most Ugandans are not informed about health insurance. Kwikiriza explains that some Ugandans (most especially in rural areas) regard health insurance as a preserve of the rich. This according to her has left many Ugandans in rural areas unbothered about health insurance.






Not too long ago, many people participated in a fundraising drive to save Carol Atuhaire’s life, who had been battling cancer for quite some time. Kwikiriza points at this as an anecdotal example of a person whose life was left in the hands of well-wishers. This, luckily enough, worked in Atuhaire’s favour and was raised enough money for her treatment. For others, however, this is not always the case.






According to Robinah Babirye, a retired medical practitioner at Mulago hospital, health insurance helps one get adequate medical attention when needed without necessarily worrying about the cost. Philbert Aryatunga, a unit manager at Jubilee Insurance, agrees with her. Babirye further emphasises that people who are HIV-negative, diabetic or facing any serious disease need to be insured to avoid any health consequences that may come by any time. She, however, points at Ugandans’ lack of will to adopt health insurance. This according to her has exposed many to unprofessional services.






How health insurance can be made accessible






Aryatunga agrees there is need for aggressive sensitisation of people by both the health insurance bodies and government. This, according to him, would help change the negative attitudes by the public. On the issue of health insurance being expensive, Aryatunga emphasised the need for government subsidisation. He says this would enable many Ugandans access good healthcare.






It should be noted that Uganda, just like any other country in sub-Saharan Africa, is highly infested with infectious diseases.
Health insurance, according to Aryatunga, would help cut costs in treating such ailments in the country.






National Health Insurance Scheme bill






In 2014, a taskforce appointed by the then minister of health, Dr Ruhakana Rugunda, was set up to come up with a Bill (National Health Insurance Scheme Bill) under the proposed National Health Insurance Bill, 2007, employees especially those in the formal sector were to pay four per cent of their monthly earnings to the insurance scheme.






Additionally, their employers were also to pay four per cent. Those in the informal sector were to be mobilised under saving schemes where the same percentage would be deducted for health insurance.
The proposed Bill was, however, rejected by insurers. Dr Dan Musiime (a fellow at Jubilee Insurance) argues that the proposed premiums then were too low and, therefore, unfavourable for the health insurance industry.






Dr Musiime, however, adds that revisions were made to the disputed Bill. He says the revisions gave insurers leeway to come up with a favourable cost premium.
The Bill was eventually put on hold as some argued that receiving of medical care would be costly to most Ugandans.








Paulo Kyama, a senior consultant with Ministry of Finance, says for health insurance to be a success, Ugandans income levels have to be uplifted since it is costly.
Kyama further adds that making health insurance available to every Ugandan is an impossible dream due to the numerous challenges the country is facing. Aryatunga on the other hand believes health insurance for all remains a dream unless government steps in to subsidise.






editorial@ug.nationmedia.com






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