Côte d’Ivoire insurers, private clinics partner for healthcare

BY CHARLES ABUEDE

The Association of Insurance Companies of Côte d’Ivoire (ASA-CI) and the Association of Private Clinics of Côte d’Ivoire (ACP-Cl) have signed an agreement to collaborate in the insurance and health sector.

Boguifo Joseph, president of the ACP-CI, said that his association has been committed for several years to play its full role alongside the Ministry of Health to promote access to care for the population, per monitored reports.

He indicated that, among other things, the agreement with the ASA-CI includes the implementation of a third-party payment system that promotes easy access to care for the population.

The agreement signing ceremony was held at the offices of the minister of economy and finance. The event was officiated by Pierre Dimba, minister of health, public hygiene and universal health coverage, and Adama Coulibaly, minister of economy and finance.

Dimba welcomed the collaboration between the ASA-CI and the ACP-Cl. Apart from the role of the two associations in structuring and regulating the health sector in Côte d’Ivoire., he said that their commitment will help to effectively reduce maternal, neonatal and infant mortality and improve emergency services. “With the implementation of Universal Health Coverage (CMU), the compulsory basic insurance for people living in Côte d’Ivoire, insurance companies now have a complementary role.”

Minister Adama Coulibaly urged the signatories to adhere to a strict and rigorous application of the clauses of the agreement, in order to avoid in the future unfortunate decisions such as the suspension of insurance in private clinics

Mamadou Koné, president of ASA-CI, stressed that the agreement is presented as a solution to avoid discord between the two associations.

The agreement formalises the general principles that govern relations between insurance companies and private clinics. It is therefore a major step forward in the process of optimising the health insurance system in Côte d’Ivoire with the health branch which represents 30% of the portfolios of insurance companies.