Danayit having fun with her sister

Work is underway to increase coverage of community health insurance nationwide.

Dr. Muluken Argaw, Deputy Director General of the Ethiopian Health Insurance Service, and Lena Bezabeh, Head of the Dire Dawa Administration Health Bureau, made the announcement in a press conference today.

Dr. Muluken Argaw, Deputy Director General of the Ethiopian Health Insurance Service, said in a press release that in the past, people used to spend money out of their own pockets due to unforeseen health costs. They have to become members of health insurance to get the service, he said.

Dr. Muluken added that efforts are underway to increase the number of 834 woredas covered by health insurance nationwide to achieve this target.

Dr. Muluken said more than 40 million people in the country have benefited from community-based health insurance services.

According to Dr. Muluken, they are working to increase the membership rate from 8.7 million last year to 9.4 million this year.

Dire Dawa Health Bureau Head, Lena Bezabh, on her part said that community health insurance has started in Dire Dawa in 2013. “We are working to increase it,” he said.

According to Lena, the head of the community health insurance program is providing medical services to its members in rural areas, starting from the health post.

According to Lena, efforts are underway to ensure the sustainability of the association by increasing the membership rate to ensure its sustainability.