Access to healthcare is a fundamental issue for every country, and in Senegal, health insurance is increasingly at the heart of public concerns. In recent years, the country has been striving to strengthen its health coverage system to provide quality care to its population, particularly in a context where health challenges are significant. So, how does health insurance work in Senegal, and what options are available to the country’s residents? Let’s explore this in this article!

Health Insurance in Senegal: How does it work?

Health insurance in Senegal mainly relies on two main systems: Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and private insurances.

Universal Health Coverage (UHC)

Introduced in 2013, the Universal Health Coverage in Senegal is a mechanism aimed at ensuring access to healthcare for all citizens, especially for vulnerable populations.

This initiative aims to ensure that Senegalese people, regardless of their income level, can receive medical care without facing major financial hurdles.

The principle of UHC is based on a shared financing system, where citizens contribute according to their means through contributions.

In return, the state implements subsidies and support programs for the neediest. This system is particularly focused on primary healthcare, preventive care, and access to essential medicines.

This health coverage includes:

  • Health mutuals, especially for workers in the informal sector: partial or total subsidy of contributions, coverage of costs, strengthening of regulations
  • Mandatory Health Insurance (MHI)
  • Coverage of care provided to individuals over 60 years old (Plan Sésame), cesarean section, dialysis
  • Free healthcare for children under 5 years old.

Private and Supplementary Insurances

Alongside universal coverage, several private insurance companies offer health insurance products.

These insurances, though more commonly used by the middle and upper classes, play an important role in covering care, especially for costly treatments not always covered by the public system.

These insurances allow access to care in private facilities, access to specific medications and treatments, and sometimes cover a broader range of services, including specialized care and surgical interventions.

However, these insurances are often seen as a luxury by a large part of the population due to their relatively high costs.

Health System in Senegal: What are the challenges?

health system in senegal

In 2020, the Senegalese government intensified its efforts to develop this program, with an ambitious goal: to achieve coverage of 75% of the population by 2025.

Initially, according to figures from Seneplus, there was 11 to 20% coverage in both the formal and informal sectors combined.

The good news is that since then, several million children have been treated, elderly people over 60 have been integrated into the Sésame program, pregnant women have been able to give birth in Senegal via cesarean section in good conditions, and dialysis has been performed.

Today, ‘we can say that we have reached 53.6% of the Senegalese population covered thanks to these assistance schemes.’

However, despite the progress made, the UHC continues to face significant financial challenges, including a lack of resources to ensure its sustainability and long-term effectiveness.

Inequalities between urban and rural areas persist, and some regions are less covered than others, especially the most isolated areas.

Communication Issues

Although efforts have been made to improve access to care, public awareness of the importance of health insurance remains insufficient.

Communication, often relegated to the background, plays a crucial role in adherence to the system and in achieving the goals of universal health coverage.

The main obstacle, according to experts, lies in how information is conveyed to the populations.

A significant portion of the resources allocated to health insurance is invested in care services, while communication, essential for ensuring widespread adherence, remains limited.

Indeed, policymakers tend to underestimate the importance of allocating a portion of the budget to awareness.

This lack of resources for communication prevents reaching all targets within the desired timeframes, thus slowing down efforts to explain how the insurance system works and its benefits. Prevention cases cannot reach individuals suffering from tuberculosis or typhoid fever, for example.

Moreover, although Senegalese people are accustomed to forms of solidarity, they are more familiar with active and immediate solidarity, rather than preventative solidarity, which involves contributing for future care.

This lack of understanding of preventative solidarity has led to lower than expected adherence, especially in the most rural regions where the culture of insurance is still underdeveloped.

A Lack of Finances for Rural Populations

Another major challenge facing the Senegalese health system is the lack of funding, particularly for rural populations.

Although efforts have been made to extend health coverage to the entire territory, inequalities remain pronounced, especially in regions far from large cities.

Rural populations are particularly affected by difficulties in accessing care, due to persistent financial issues and the need for constant contributions that are not possible for everyone.

The prices of medical services in the public network are a central element of this issue.

Although Senegal has implemented public health policies to ensure low-cost care, the prices remain a significant barrier for a portion of the population, particularly in rural areas where incomes are low.

In 2023, for example, the rates for medical consultations in the public network were as follows:

  • General consultation: between 3,000 and 10,000 CFA
  • Specialized consultation: between 1,500 CFA and 2,000 CFA
  • Hospitalization: 28,000 CFA per day
  • Biological examination: between 7,500 CFA and 15,000 CFA depending on the type of examination
  • Medications for chronic diseases: between 7,500 and 20,000 CFA per month

These prices represent a heavy burden for residents of rural areas where incomes are often lower.

At the local and community level, it is also necessary to consider that hospitals in large cities are more (and sometimes too) far away. Health posts are staffed by nurses but for Senegalese who need more in-depth care, the challenge remains.

List of health insurances in Senegal

African american patient filling in checkup report papers

In Senegal, the health insurance market is expanding, with several players offering solutions to cover medical expenses.

These insurances range from basic coverage to more comprehensive options and are designed to meet the growing health needs of the population.

Mandatory Health Insurance (AMO)

The mandatory public health insurance system, managed by the Social Security Fund (CSS) and the Senegal Retirement Provision Institute (IPRES), aims to provide basic coverage for the majority of the Senegalese population.

This system primarily targets workers in the formal sector and covers medical expenses in public health facilities. AMO is funded by contributions deducted from the salaries of workers and their employers.

Coverage by the National Health Insurance Fund (CNAM)

The National Health Insurance Fund (CNAM) manages another form of health insurance in Senegal.

It is one of the most accessible and widely used schemes, covering a large portion of the Senegalese population, including workers in the informal sector.

CNAM is structured to promote the inclusion of the most vulnerable through a system of contributions that vary according to income, allowing Senegalese to affiliate at different coverage levels according to their means.

Private Health Insurances

In addition to public options, several private health insurances offer more comprehensive solutions tailored to the needs of the middle and upper classes.

These insurances provide extensive coverage of care, including services in private facilities, specialized care, and services abroad.

The main insurance companies operating in this area include:

  • Allianz Senegal: This company offers individual and family health insurances, with coverage varying according to the chosen plans. Allianz covers medical expenses, hospitalizations, as well as preventive and wellness care.
  • AXA Assurance Senegal: AXA offers various health insurance products, including solutions tailored to businesses and self-employed workers. Policies may include benefits such as consultations, surgical care, hospitalization, as well as dental and optical care.
  • Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations (CDC): The CDC also offers insurance solutions for civil servants and individuals, covering medical care in both public and private hospitals.
  • Sen Assurances: This company offers a diverse range of products, from basic health coverage to more elaborate covers for individuals and businesses.

Health Mutuals

Although fewer in number than private insurances, health mutuals are also a popular option for Senegalese, especially in rural areas and worker communities.

These mutuals operate on a model of solidarity and collective contribution, allowing members to pool together to cover medical expenses. Among the most well-known is the Health Mutual for Workers of Senegal (MSTS), which offers benefits tailored to the needs of its members.

In summary, the landscape of health insurance in Senegal is varied and offers several solutions, whether public or private.

However, there are still challenges to be addressed, particularly in terms of access to these services for the most vulnerable populations.

How to Send Money to Senegalese Without Health Insurance?

While many infrastructures need improvement, certain actions can still be carried out despite the distance separating countries.

Today, many families who have moved abroad struggle to help their relatives back home. However, access to hospital care, blood tests, and even financial resources for Senegalese to access an ambulance in emergencies is possible.

Now, innovative solutions like KimboCare offer a convenient and secure way to support your loved ones and send or receive money in Senegal.

Thanks to this platform, it is now possible to ensure that your loved ones have access to quality healthcare without worrying about the uncertainties associated with traditional money transfers.

With KimboCare, you can purchase prepaid health credits for specific medical services for your loved ones in Senegal.

In just a few clicks, you designate your relatives as beneficiaries, guaranteeing immediate access to necessary care such as antibiotic treatment, hospital stays, support from a midwife during childbirth, or even professional pregnancy monitoring.

Each credit you send is directly used for health services, thus providing a guarantee regarding the allocation of funds.

We collaborate with rigorously selected medical partners across the country, ensuring that your loved ones receive the best care without hidden fees or waiting times.

Once the transfer is made, your relatives receive a notification indicating the care providers to contact, facilitating smooth and rapid access to the medical services they need.

FAQ

1. What is the Universal Health Coverage (CMU) in Senegal?

The Universal Health Coverage (CMU) in Senegal, launched in 2013, aims to guarantee access to care for all Senegalese citizens, especially vulnerable populations. It is based on a shared financing system where citizens contribute according to their means, and the state supports the neediest through subsidies. This system covers primary care, preventive care, and essential medications.

2. What are the challenges of the health system in Senegal?

Senegal’s health system faces several challenges, including a lack of funding, inequalities between urban and rural areas, and an increased need for communication to raise awareness among the population. The scarcity of resources for rural populations, coupled with sometimes high medical fees, hinders equitable access to care, despite state efforts to improve health coverage.

3. What are the rates for medical services in public hospitals in Senegal?

The rates for medical services in public establishments in Senegal vary according to the services provided. In 2023, the rates were as follows:

  • General consultation: between 3,000 and 10,000 CFA
  • Specialized consultation: between 1,500 and 2,000 CFA
  • Hospitalization: 28,000 CFA per day
  • Biological examination: between 7,500 and 15,000 CFA
  • Medication for chronic diseases: between 7,500 and 20,000 CFA per month

Although these prices are relatively low compared to other countries, they pose a significant burden for low-income rural populations.

4. What are the main health insurance options available in Senegal?

Senegal offers several health insurance solutions, including:

  • Coverage by the National Health Insurance Fund (CNAM), aimed at providing broad coverage, especially for workers in the informal sector.
  • Mandatory Health Insurance (AMO), targeted at formal sector workers.
  • Private insurances, such as those offered by Allianz, AXA, and Sen Assurances, provide extensive coverage for specialized care in private facilities.

5. How can I send money for the medical care of my loved ones in Senegal?

With platforms like KimboCare, you can now send money securely to fund your loved ones’ medical care in Senegal. KimboCare allows you to purchase prepaid health credits for specific medical services, ensuring immediate access to care such as consultations, hospitalizations, or medical monitoring. You designate your loved ones as beneficiaries, and each credit sent is directly used for health services at partner facilities across the country.

6. Is health insurance mandatory in Senegal?

Mandatory health insurance is a system established to cover formal sector workers but is gradually being extended to other population segments, such as informal sector workers, through the National Health Insurance Fund (CNAM). However, rural and vulnerable populations continue to face access and funding challenges.

7. What are the health insurance options for people living in rural areas?

Residents of rural areas can join health mutuals, which operate on a model of solidarity. Although fewer in number than private insurances, these mutuals are particularly suited to rural areas and offer medical care at more affordable rates. Coverage by CNAM and government assistance programs (like the Plan Sésame for the elderly) are also accessible, but awareness and resources remain major challenges for these populations.