Four years ago, residents of Umucyo Village, Rusera Cell, Kabarondo Sector in Kayonza District initiated a savings association dubbed “Akaseke ka Mituweli (Mutuelle Basket)” to help mobilise resources for Mutuelle premiums. ALSO READ: Additional Rwf17bn Mutuelle funding to boost health care The village, which has 16 Isibo (small administrative units below village level), 365 households and 1,650 residents, ranked first in the sector and district after clearing all Mutuelle premiums by April 2025, ahead of the 2025/26 fiscal year that started in July. ALSO READ: Mutuelle premium prices revised “Before introducing the Mutuelle Basket initiative, it was difficult to afford premiums through a single payment. Some residents faced costly medical treatment when they had not paid their contributions,” said Didace Nsengiyumva, one of the association members in Umucyo Village. Each Isibo has its own savings association to mobilise Mutuelle premiums. The associations have committee members, including a treasurer and an auditor. Members meet and save every Tuesday. “Each member contributes depending on the number of family members to be covered. Contributions can start from Rwf500 per week and above. After mobilising the resources, we compile reports from all neighbourhoods and pay members’ contributions through the Irembo platform, after which they receive receipts,” he noted. Due to the strides made by the village, the event to celebrate 25 years of the Community-Based Health Insurance scheme, known as Mutuelle de Santé, took place in there on February 24. ALSO READ: Govt mulls Mutuelle de Santé review to improve access to medicines In Rubavu District, community saving associations for Mutuelle have significantly improved access to health insurance, as residents increasingly embrace collective efforts to pool resources. Judith Nyirambabazi, 38, head of the “Twese Umuhigo wa Mutuelle” saving association in Gaharawe Village, Ndoranyi Cell, Mudende Sector, said that since the association was founded in 2019, the mindset of its 874 members has changed considerably. “Authorities used to chase after us, urging us to pay our Mutuelle de Santé contributions,” she recalled. “Most of our members are farmers, and their understanding of the benefits of saving small amounts of money for Mutuelle was initially low. However, the savings association has changed that mindset.” Members can save from Rwf100 per week and above to help low-income earners meet their contributions. Some members save more money for other purposes as well. “The association mainly comprises farmers who now save regularly to ensure timely payment of Mutuelle de Santé contributions,” she said. Similarly, Daniel Mbonyishuti, 46, from a family of eight, said members of his association previously struggled to raise Mutuelle contributions before the creation of “Girubuzima Gitega” in 2014. The group now brings together 350 members committed to improving their health security. “Our ambition is to have good health,” said the head of the Mutuelle saving association. “Most of us used to struggle to raise money or pay Mutuelle contributions on time.” He contributes Rwf 5,000 per week. Local authorities in Mudende Sector said 382 Mutuelle saving associations are operating in the area and have been performing better than those in other sectors of Rubavu District. Health minister Dr Sabin Nsanzimana urged citizens to continue contributing to Mutuelle premiums since the scheme has been strengthened to improve the services they need. “We have expanded services under the scheme, and the number of medicines on the list has increased from 845 to 1,450,” he noted. Newly covered services include kidney transplants, dialysis, neurosurgery, cardiac treatment, cancer screening and treatment, orthopaedic surgery, and assistive devices for persons with disabilities.
