Senate passes MMI legislation

The Senate yesterday, unanimously, passed a bill establishing and setting up the function and operations of the Military Medical Insurance (MMI). The bill allows civilians to subscribe to the fund.  Article 4 of the bill stipulates that; “the main responsibility of MMI is to cover medical care to armed forces and others who subscribe to this insurance, only within Rwanda.”

Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Defence Minister Gen. James Kabarebe (R) with Speaker Rose Mukantabana in Parliament (The New Times / John Mbanda).

The Senate yesterday, unanimously, passed a bill establishing and setting up the function and operations of the Military Medical Insurance (MMI).

The bill allows civilians to subscribe to the fund.

Article 4 of the bill stipulates that; "the main responsibility of MMI is to cover medical care to armed forces and others who subscribe to this insurance, only within Rwanda.”

Initially, MMI catered for medical insurance cover of armed forces and their immediate families.

"A deadline of December 31 was set to align all government institutions to the organic law governing them, it is in this spirit that the bill governing MMI was introduced in Parliament,” said Senate Vice President, Bernard Makuza.

He added that Parliament took the opportunity to polish the bill by adding in missing elements.

"MMI can now contribute to the universal medical insurance (Mutuelle de Sante),” said Makuza.

Earlier, while presenting the bill before the Lower Chamber, Defence Minister, James Kabarebe, told Parliament that MMI beneficiaries do not necessarily have to be relatives of a member of the armed forces.

Meanwhile, the Senate also approved a bill transforming Kanombe Hospital into Rwanda Military Hospital (RMH).

The legislation will ensure the setting up of health centres, pharmacies and laboratories, affiliated to the hospital and establish relations with similar regional and international agencies.

The two bills are expected to be promulgated before the year ends.

edwin.musoni@newtimes.co.rw