News Concertation

Solidarité Socialiste vient de publier une revue Politique Hors-série sur la santé (avec tous les articles) et aussi un autre « l'alter égaux » spécial santé.

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 23:00:00 GMT

High-level special event on South-South cooperation on the Social Protection Floor Initiative - February 2010

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 23:00:00 GMT

In conjunction with the 48th Session of the Commission for Social Development, it is a pleasure to inform that the Special Unit for South South Cooperation, the International Labour Organization and the World Health Organization are sponsoring a high-level special event on South-South cooperation on the Social Protection Floor Initiative. The event will take place on 2 February 2010 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. in Conference Room 8 (formerly conference room 10) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

More info...

Meeting of the actors of African mutual health organizations

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 23:00:00 GMT

Les acteurs du développement des mutuelles de santé en Afrique se sont réunis du 04 au 06 janvier 2010 à Paris au centre de formation de la MGEN (Mutuelle Générale de l’Education Nationale).

Ces travaux ont abouti à l’élaboration d’un plan d’action 2010 axé notamment sur la formation et qui sera mis en œuvre à partir des activités des membres dans les pays où ils interviennent. Le protocole d’accord qui lie les membres de la Concertation a été revu à la lumière des enjeux internationaux et à la place que doit occuper la Concertation au niveau régional. Un comité exécutif a été institué et vient remplacer le comité de pilotage, il est chargé de mettre en œuvre et d’assurer du suivi du plan d’action et des décisions approuvées par l’AG des acteurs du développement des mutuelles de santé en Afrique. Ce comité est composé de trois membres dont le coordinateur est M. Alain COHEUR

Concertation's News Letter N° 22

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 23:00:00 GMT

The ILO's Microinsurance Innovation Facility launches a call for grant proposals

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 23:00:00 GMT

The ILO's Microinsurance Innovation Facility launches a new call for grant
proposals to encourage insurance providers to experiment with new products and
develop strategic partnerships that will bring effective and affordable products
to working poor in developing countries. This call has a special emphasis on
health microinsurance, but also welcomes applications for projects focusing on
high-impact products and innovative distribution channels. Microinsurers that
have the potential to provide better insurance products to many low-income
people but need their capacity to be to strengthened can also receive support.
Application forms and guidelines are available on the Facility's website:
www.ilo.org/microinsurance. The deadline for submission is 2 March 2010.

Rencontre Internationale sur la Santé

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:00:00 GMT

THE LANDSCAPE OF MICROINSURANCE IN AFRICA

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:00:00 GMT

The ILO's Microinsurance Innovation Facility would like to thank you very much
for responding to our survey 'The Landscape of Microinsurance in Africa'. We are
happy to let you know that an 8-page summary of key results is available at:
http://www.ilo.org/public/english/employment/mifacility/publ/brnotes.htm. The
full report will be available in February 2010 and we will inform you as soon as
it is online. As mentioned earlier the data you shared with us stays
confidential. However, we would like to request if you would agree to list your
organization name and the number of lives you covered in 2008 in the full
report. If we do not hear from you in the next 3 weeks, we will assume that you
have nothing against it.

Microinsurance is growing and expanding throughout Africa. Led by the ILO's
Microinsurance Innovation Facility and the MicroInsurance Centre, this study
identified over fourteen million low-income people in Africa who were covered by
microinsurance at the end of 2008. The outreach almost doubled over the last 4
years. Even with such growth, there are clearly significant gaps. Substantial
parts of the continent remain almost barren of microinsurance. Health,
agriculture and property covers, all significantly in need by the low-income
market, are evident as a mere fraction of life insurance coverage. This study
provides a detailed picture of microinsurance in Africa and discusses challenges
in the years to come in order to facilitate broader, high-quality expansion.

More fr ETAT DES LIEUX DE LA MICRO-ASSURANCE EN AFRIQUE;

More en THE LANDSCAPE OF MICRO-INSURANCE IN AFRICA;

Entre nous Acteurs N°5

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Le bulletin de liaison des acteurs de la micro-assurance santé au Cameroun Entre nous acteurs fr est disponible en ligne.

Article AIM sur Forum Concertation fr & en

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Les présentations du 5éme Forum de la Concertation sont en ligne!

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Vous trouverez ci dessous les présentations faites pendant le forum

Séance académique (Matinée du 30 septembre

L'extension de la protection sociale, les enjeux internationaux: M. Alain Coheur. Séance Académique N°1 ;

La mutualité en Afrique: réalités tendances et enjeux: M. Olivier Louis Dit Guerin. Séance Académique N°2 ;

La mutualité en Afrique: réalités tendances et enjeux: M. Ilére N'gongang Séance Académique N°3 ;

La stratégie de développement de la mutualité de santé au Cameroun, bilan et perspective: M Alain AHAWO Séance Académique N°4

Cette séance académique à été suivie par différentes présentations et des ateliers. Les thèmes de ces différentes présentations sont mis dans l'ordre chronologique tels qu'ils ont été abordés au forum: vous pouvez les consulter et les télécharger ci dessous.

La mutualité et ses conditions de développement (Après midi du 30 septembre)

1 Quelles conditions internes une mutualité doit elle satisfaire pour assurer sa pérennité?

Voir Pléniére1 Thème1 ; Voir Atelier1 Thème 1 ; Voir Restitution Atelier1 Thème 1 ;

2 La mise en réseau peut elle limiter le risque financier des mutualités?

Voir Pléniére1 Thème 2 ; Voir Atelier1 Thème 2 ; Voir Restitution Atelier1 Thème 2 ;

3 L'engagement de l'Etat dans le développement de la mutualité est il nécessaire et souhaitable?

Voir Pléniére1 Thème 3 ; Voir Atelier1 Thème 3 ; Voir Restitution Atelier1 Thème 3 ;

Les relations entre la mutualité et l’accès aux soins de santé de qualité (Matinée de 1er octobre)

1 L'appartenance à la mutualité favorise t'elle l'accès aux soins de qualité pour les membre?

Voir Pléniére2 Thème 1 ; Voir Introduction Atelier 2 ; Voir Atelier2 Thème 1 ; Voir Restitution Atelier2 Thème 1

2 Quelles sont les effets de la mutualité sur l'offre de soins?

Voir Pléniére2 Thème 2 ; Voir Atelier2 Thème 2 ; Voir Restitution Atelier2 Thème 2

3 Quelle est la place de la qualité des soins parmi les déterminants de l'adhésion à la mutualité?

Voir Pléniére2 Thème 3 ; Voir Atelier2 Thème 3 ; Voir Restitution Atelier2 Thème 3

Mutualité et assurance maladie universelle (Après midi du 1er octobre)

1 Les mutuelles de santé peuvent elles être des acteurs d'une combinaison de dispositifs pour une couverture santé universelle?

Voir Pléniére3 Thème 1 ; Atelie3 Thème 1 (bientôt disponible) Voir Restitution Atelier3 Thème 1 ;

2 Les stratégies nationales peuvent elles renforcer le rôle des mutuelles de santé et s'appuyer sur elles pour étendre la protection sociale au sein de l'économie informelle?

Voir Pléniére3 Thème 2 ; Atelie3 Thème 2 (bientôt disponible) Voir Restitution Atelier3 Thème 2

3 Quel rôle pour les structures d'appui? L'initiative conjointe des Nations Unies.

Voir Pléniére3 Thème 3 ; Atelie3 Thème 3 (bientôt disponible) Voir Restitution Atelier3 Thème 3

Au terme du forum une déclaration a été faite.

Voir Déclaration Yaoundé

Voir Déclaration Yaoundé EN;

Des modules de formation, ont été présentés par la Concertation lors de la journée du 29 septembre. Ces documents ainsi que les différents discours seront ajoutés bientôt.

Towards a universal social protection floor - Course, from April 12 to 23 2010, Turin, Italy (in French)

Sun, 17 Jan 2010 23:00:00 GMT

The International Training Centre of the ILO, in close collaboration with the Social Security Department of the ILO and other agencies of the UN System involved in the social protection floor initiative, will be holding its annual two-week course on "Extension of social protection: towards a universal social protection floor", in French, 12-23 April 2010 in Turin, Italy.

This year, the course will look at the horizontal and vertical dimensions from which a country can tackle the extension of protection coverage to its population. The horizontal dimension will cover the adoption of a social protection floor aiming at providing a universal minimum set of social protection benefits at country level, so that the poor and the most vulnerable populations are covered. The vertical dimension will address the improvements/safeguard of minimum benefit entitlements in the formal and formalising sectors. Guided discussions will cover important elements such as finincing, examples of successful initiatives, differents mechanisms, fiscal and institutional conditions.

Registration must be sent to socpro@itcilo.org by March 12, 2010 with nomination form and institutional letter.

• For further information, please download the flyer in French
• Download the nomination form

Réglementation de la Mutualité Sociale au sein de L'UEMOA

Sun, 13 Sep 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Le Réglement Portant Réglementation de la Mutualité Sociale au sein de L'UEMOA est Disponible en linge:

Conference annnouncement: Lessons learnt and Lessons to learn in the field of Micro Health Insurance in Africa

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 22:00:00 GMT

CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENT: Final Conference in Lilongwe, 2-3 December 2009: “Lessons learnt and Lessons to learn in the field of Micro Health Insurance in Africa”

The international Pro MHI Africa team will hold a final conference at the end of the two year project in December 2009 in Lilongwe. The conference will constitute a platform for various microinsurance stakeholders in Africa and worldwide. The main objectives of the conference are the following:

I Presentation of common Project outcomes

Common research results and general outcomes of the two year project will be presented at the conference and hence new information on the potential, efficiency and sustainability of Micro Health Insurance in Botswana, Ghana and Malawi will disseminated. This presentation will form the basis for an open discussion on these topics. New evidence was gathered mainly within qualitative research as well as in the context of an extensive comparative household survey conducted in Botswana, Ghana and Malawi in 2008 and 2009.

II Insurance Education in Malawi and Best Paper Award

A further aim of the conference is to raise awareness on Micro Health Insurance in Malawi as the common spread of micro health insurance units has not entered Malawi yet. Besides a presentation of the main research results of the Pro MHI Africa project in Malawi the winner of the Malawian Best Paper Award will be proclaimed. Furthermore, a round table with important stakeholders in the field of Micro Health Insurance in Malawi is intended to discuss further steps as well as initiate the establishment of a national network of potential micro health insurance practitioners, researchers and supporters in Malawi.

III Exchange and Dissemination of latest research results on Micro Health insurance in Africa

The Pro MHI Africa team would like to bring together national and international microfinance, microinsurance and micro health insurance experts in the context of the final conference to initiate a common discussion about the status quo of Micro Health Insurance in Africa. Therefore, several co-authors of the official Pro MHI Africa Handbook of Micro Health Insurance in Africa will join the conference and present their papers as well as conduct interactive workshops on specific topics.

Please find more information on the conference, on registration and programme on the conference webpage: http://www.microhealthinsurance-africa.org/247.html

Découvrez un DOCUMENTAIRE sur l'assurance maladie des élèves

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Découvrez un DOCUMENTAIRE sur l'assurance maladie des élèves

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Formation sur Micro assurance santé participative et Assurance Maladie Universelle en Afrique (AMU)

Tue, 28 Dec 0028 23:00:00 GMT

ASSEMBLEE GENERALE ORDINAIRE de la MUSAPALM

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Pro MHI Africa Conference - "Lessons learnt and to be learnt in the field of Micro Health Insurance in Africa", 2-3 December 2009 in Lilongwe, Malawi

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 22:00:00 GMT

The international Pro MHI Africa team will hold a conference at the end of its two year project in December 2009 in Lilongwe. The conference, entitled “Lessons learnt and to be learnt in the field of Micro Health Insurance in Africa”, will constitute a platform for various microinsurance stakeholders in Africa and worldwide. It will have the following main aims:

Presentation of common Project outcomes;
Insurance Education in Malawi;
Exchange and Dissemination of latest research results on Micro Health Insurance in Africa

Registrations can be made online or per fax. Please use the registration form available online and send it to lisa-marie.rohrdantz@uni-koeln.de or via fax to the following number: +49-221-4705064.

Registration will remain open until 10 November 2009.

For more information about the conference and to print the registration form, please click on: http://www.microhealthinsurance-africa.org/247.html

For further information on the "Pro MHI Africa" university network please visit: http://www.microhealthinsurance-africa.org

Passing of the legal framework on the regulation of mutual social organizations in WAEMU States

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 22:00:00 GMT

The WAEMU Council of Ministers, gathered during an ordinary session, adopted
the bill on the regulation on mutual social organizations in WAEMU states on
June 26 2009, in Dakar.
The agreement aims to implement a uniform, transparent and efficient regulation
which enables a healthy promotion of mutual social organizations (including
mutual health organizations) in WAEMU states.
In addition, it will enable to codify organizations’ creation, organization
and functioning modalities, and to ensure a rational risk management, with the
aim to improve access to basic health services for WAEMU states’ population.
The regulation includes for each member the set up of a social mutuality
administrative body, of a national registration system and a national guarantee
fund, intended to protect members’ rights.

The Mutual health Organization on Cameroon

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Au Cameroun une grande partie de la population ne bénéficie d’aucune protection sociale et la question de l’accès aux soins se pose pour 60% des citoyens. La stratégie Sectorielle Santé élaborée en 2001 prévoit de couvrir en 10 ans, 40% de la population à travers la création d’au moins une Mutuelle de Santé par District. En 2000, le premier inventaire de la Concertation dénombrait 9 mutuelles au Cameroun. En 2003, un second recensement organisé par le SAILD avec l’appui de la Concertation des mutuelles de santé en Afrique avait trouvé 37 mutuelles en activité au Cameroun.

En 2006, la Coopération technique Allemande et le Service de Coopération et d’Action Culturelle Français en appui au Ministère de la Santé Publique et au Ministère du Travail et de la Sécurité Sociale, ont réalisé un répertoire pour fournir à tous ceux qui s’intéressent au mouvement mutualiste camerounais, une information actualisée sur les systèmes de microassurances santé évoluant au Cameroun.

Au total 101 structures de Micro-Assurances Santé (MAS) ont été répertoriées parmi lesquelles 73 dans le secteur informel, 26 dans le secteur formel et 2 couvrant exclusivement les religieux. On note que 62% des MAS répertoriées sont fonctionnelles, 23% en gestation, 10% en projet et 5% en redressement. Au total 22% des districts de santé disposent d’au moins une mutuelle et le nombre de personnes couvertes par ces systèmes représente 1,39% de la population totale.

Les provinces les plus couvertes sont le Littoral (28) le Centre (25) et l’Ouest (23). Les provinces du Sud, de l’Est ne sont pas couvertes. 44% des MAS sont exclusivement rurales. Environ 78% des MAS sont communautaires, 11% sont des MAS d’entreprise et 11% sont des MAS d’assurances. Près de 65% des MAS sont gérées par des volontaires. On note que 80% des MAS assurent la couverture des soins de premier et deuxième niveau et le montant moyen de la prime individuelle mensuelle est de 336 F avec des écarts allant de 100 F à plus de 2000 FCFA. L’adhésion familiale est le mode le plus répandu et le tiers payant (88%) représente le mode de prise en charge par excellence. La moyenne des bénéficiaires varie entre 746 pour les MAS gérées par des bénévoles et 7783 pour des MAS gérées par du personnel salarié.

Les promoteurs les plus actifs sont les coopérations bilatérales (30%) et les organisations non gouvernementales (17%). Le Cameroun dispose pour l’instant de 9 structures (bureaux d’étude et ONG) qui appuient le développement des MAS.

En savoir Plus :

The Mutual Health Organisation On Cameroun

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 22:00:00 GMT

place of the mutual benefit society EN

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 22:00:00 GMT

ASSEMBLEE GENERALE DE LA MUTUELLE SOCIALE DES TRANSPORTEURS ROUTIERS DU SENEGAL

Thu, 28 May 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Conformément à ses textes statutaires et réglementaires, la Mutuelle Sociale des travailleurs des transports routiers du Sénégal « TransVie » a tenu son Assemblée Générale le 16 Mai 2009 sous la présidence de M. Habib Sy Ministre d’Etat, Ministre de la fonction Publique, de l’emploi et des organisations professionnelles. A ses cotés on a noté la présence de M. François Murangira Directeur du Bureau Sous régional de l'OIT à Dakar, Mme Mariéme Ly WANE Sénateur, M.youssoufa Wade Président du Comité National du Dialogue Social, M. Mbaye Mbengue représentant le CETUD et des représentants des Ministres des Transports Routiers, de la Santé et des différents syndicats des transporteurs et des travailleurs du secteur des transports routiers du Sénégal.

Après les allocutions des différentes autorités, des témoignages portant sur les prestations offertes par la mutuelle ont été faites devant l’Assistance par des bénéficiaires. Avant la fin de la cérémonie officielle, des cadeaux offerts par la Mutuelle ont été remis aux deux premiers bébés dans la Mutuelle par le Ministre et le Directeur du Bureau Sous Régional de l’OIT à Dakar.

Les travaux ont été marqués par la présentation et l’adoption des rapports d’activités et financier de l’exercice 2008. A la suite de cela, le plan d’action et le budget de 2009 ont été soumis à l’appréciation de l’Assemblée générale avant la présentation du plan de développement qui va jusqu’en 2012.

L’Assemblée Générale s’est refermée sur une note de satisfaction des adhérents qui ont renouvelé leur confiance aux dirigeants qui se sont engagés à poursuivre la ligne tracée pour atteindre les objectifs de la Mutuelle Sociale TransVie.

10 years serving the African Mutual Health Organizations

Mon, 18 May 2009 22:00:00 GMT

This brochure presents the work the Concertation network has carried out with health mutuals in Africa over a ten-year period (1998-2008).

La Concertation was inititally created to provide actors of mutuals with a space for sharing their knowledge and experiences, in order to support the development of the mutualist movement. Currently, the network links more than 150 member organizations (local, regional, national and international), is active in more than 14 French-speaking African countries and its website has over 1,300 users from all over the world.

5th International Micro-Issurance Conference

Thu, 14 May 2009 22:00:00 GMT

From 3 to 5 november 2009, the 5th International Micro-insurance Conference will take place in Dakar, SENEGAL. This event is hosted by the Micro-insurance Network, the Munich Re Foundation, supported by the Conference Interafricaine des Marches d' Assurance (CIMA), the African Insurance Organisation (AIO) the Fédération des Sociétés d' Assurance de Droit National Africaines (FANAF), the Journal of Risk and Insurance and the International Labour Organisation (ILO). Over 300 experts from around the world will exchange experiences and discuss challenge faced by micro insurance. They include representatives from international organizations, NGOs, development-aid agencies, insurance and reinsurance companies, academics, policymakers and regulators. More

www.munichre-foundation.org/StiftungsWebsite/

Social Security for All. Investing in social justice and economic development

Thu, 14 May 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Social Security for All. Investing in social justice and economic development, BIT, Département de la Sécurité Sociale, 2009

This paper sets out the policy vision of the ILO that underpins its activities in the context of the Global Campaign on Social Security and Coverage for All. The objective of this policy briefing is to contribute to the global debate between social security stakeholders, researchers, practitioners and decision-makers as to how to provide a meaningful form of social security to the majority of the world's population and to ensure that the human right to social security can be made a reality in the shortest possible time.

Download the ressource (Forthcoming French and Spanish versions)

Sénégal, validation des outils de suivi/évaluation des mutuelles de santé

Mon, 11 May 2009 22:00:00 GMT

La Cellule d’Appui au Financement de la Santé et au Partenariat (CAFSP) a organisé les 02 et 03 avril 2009 un atelier de validation des outils de suivi évaluation des mutuelles de santé. Cet atelier qui s’est déroulé au Centre Forêt à Thiès a regroupé différents acteurs de la mutualité parmi lesquels on pouvait noter : les représentants des unions régionales de mutuelles de santé, les mutuelles d’envergure nationale, les structures d’appui et promoteurs du mouvement mutualiste (GRAIM, PROMUSAF, Abt/USAID, BIT/STEP…), le Ministère de la Santé et de la Prévention (CAFSP, DSSP, IAAF…) et des personnes ressources.

La rencontre avait pour objectifs de Valider les outils de suivi/évaluation des mutuelles de santé et les indicateurs élaborés par le groupe de travail qui résultent des conclusions de l’atelier de quatre jours d’octobre 2008.

Les deux jours d’échanges ont permis de passer en revue toutes les propositions et d’harmoniser les compréhensions. A cet effet des recommandations fortes ont été faites. Elles concernent :

· La fréquence de la production des rapports par les mutuelles de santé (trimestrielle des mutuelles de santé aux unions avec une restitution semestrielle et annuelle des unions à la CAFSP)

· La finalisation des outils en intégrant toutes les remarques et recommandations sorties de cet atelier ;

· La multiplication et la vulgarisation au niveau des différents acteurs par la CAFSP ;

· l’élaboration d’un lexique pour expliquer et harmoniser la lecture de certains concepts ;

· La formation des responsables des mutuelles de santé, avec l’appui de la tutelle, dans l’utilisation de ces outils ;

· La proposition de canevas pour établir les rapports ;

· Le test des outils à l’échelle d’une région pilote.

La prise en compte des recommandations issues de l’atelier sera capitale dans l’atteinte des objectifs.

Face aux difficultés d’avoir des informations régulières et fiables sur les mutuelles de santé, l’utilisation de ces outils et la participation active de tous les acteurs contribueront à réduire ce déficit d’informations constaté dans le secteur des mutuelles de santé.

La démarche participative sur la définition des outils de suivi /évaluation et des mécanismes de transmission des données devrait permettre à la tutelle (Ministère de santé) de constituer une base de données sur les mutuelles de santé à l’échelle nationale et de mesurer leur performance de manière régulière.

The Concertation Newsletter n 21 is online!

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 22:00:00 GMT

The Concertation’s Newsletter links all active members of the Concertation. It is a performing exchange and information tool on activities members are carrying out. It comes out three times a year. It includes articles on different links that are directly linked to mutual health organizations in Africa, interviews of managers and actors of the field, information on past events and events to come.

See Newsletter n21

The Concertation's Forum 2009: 28 September - 2 October 2009

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Information on the 2009 Forum is on line! More...

New programme "Access to Insurance Initiative" (A2II)

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 22:00:00 GMT

ILO/STEP has recently joined a new programme called "Access to Insurance Initiative" (A2II) together with the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS) and Microinsurance Network.

The A2II is made up of several partners (international organizations, the French federation of mutuals, insurance companies, foundations and development agencies). Its main goal is to develop and implement guidelines for insurance market regulations and supervision, in order to improve the access of the poorest people to this market. A2II will also facilitate sharing of knowledge, experiences and information about the role of regulations and supervision in improving access to insurance. A document on regulation and supervision of mutuals and micro-insurance in emerging countries is currently being drafted.

Find out more:

New Resource online. Health Insurance In Low-Income Countries: Where Is The Evidence That It Works?

Sun, 01 Mar 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Joint NGO Briefing Paper: Oxfam International, Action for Global Health, Médecins du Monde, Save the Children UK, Plan, Global Health Advocates, Act Up Paris, 2008

This joint NGO briefing paper provides a critical analysis of different forms of health insurance as mechanisms for the financing and provision of healthcare coverage to people living in poverty.

In view of the current debates on the role of health insurance as a key means of financing healthcare in low-income countries, this paper urgesfor caution on the part of donors and governments; arguing that if a government fails to implement the necessary accompanying measures and to mobilise adequate resources, health insurance mechanisms may even have an adverse effect on the equity and efficiency of healthcare schemes.

This paper suggests that the current practice of assessing insurance schemes in terms of the advantages they bring to their particular membership fails to account for their impact on entire populations, and in particular on people living in poverty who cannot afford prepayments. A revision of evaluation criteria is needed, with greater attention being paid to ¿vertical equity' i.e. differential access according to people's different needs in recognition of the existence of vulnerable groups. Insurance schemes should be measured in terms of their contribution to the ultimate end of providing universal access to quality healthcare. The forms of health insurance discussed in this paper are: Private Health Insurance (PHI), Private for-profit Micro Health insurance, Community Based Health Insurance (CBHI) and Social Health Insurance (SHI). Examining each form of health insurance against the revised criteria in turn, this paper seeks to present what are considered to be the practical challenges confronting each mechanism, giving evidence drawn from case studies of low-income countries (and to a lesser extent those of higher-income countries) in each instance. The third part of this paper discusses the importance of national commitment to public spending on health and the crucial need for global solidarity. Access the NGO paper via GIMI

New Resource online: Performance Indicators for Micro-insurance

Sun, 01 Mar 2009 23:00:00 GMT

John Wipf and Denis Garand, 2008

This handbook provides some principles and key indicators for the evaluation of microinsurance performance irrespective of the approach of the scheme (e.g. social-protection or market-based).

Chapter 1 contains definitions, formulas, descriptions and interpretations of the indicators;
Chapter 2 focuses on some of the specific considerations to be taken into account when evaluating performance for certain products and for the partner-agent model;
Chapter 3 introduces the subject of benchmarking;
Chapter 4 explores the topic of social performance.

The handbook, together with a factsheet in the form of an Excel workbook consisting of financial statements adapted for microinsurance practitioners, makes up the toolkit, "Performance Indicators for Microinsurance". Both tools complement each other and are designed to be used together. The handbook complements the factsheet by assisting the reader with the interpretation of the obtained results.

Spanish and French versions of the handbook will be available soon.

MORE INFO:

Setting social security standards in a global society

Sun, 01 Mar 2009 23:00:00 GMT

An analysis of the present state and practice and of future options for global social security standard setting at the International Labour Organisation

In its new series Social Security Policy Briefings, the Social Security Department has just issued a technical paper that outlines and analyses the present situation regarding the ILO Social Security Conventions and the current "Campaign on Social Security and Coverage for All", as well as identifying different options for improving the present situation. The paper delineates the possible contribution of the ILO Conventions and Recommendations to the Campaign.

This document is the result of a consultative process and reflects inputs and comments from the academic world and from ILO constituents. Access the paper via GESS

MGEN, IE and AIM LAUNCH an Education and Solidarity Network

Sun, 01 Mar 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Three organisations concerned with the development, coordination and strengthening of solidarity-based social protection systems; IE (Education International), AIM (International Association of Mutual Benefit Societies) and MGEN (Mutual of National Education, France), are preparing the launch of an Education and Solidarity Network.

The rationale of the Network lies in the recognition of educational professionals as key agents in the promotion of solidarity-based social protection systems worldwide; whether operating among teaching professionals or extended to the population at large.

Focusing on social protection models that are based on the essential values of solidarity, non-profit motives and democratic management, the activities of the Education and Solidarity Network will include the development and sharing of tools, expertise and best practices, as well as the launching of targeted training programmes.

The partner organisations bring together their collective strength in their respective fields: acting as a worldwide federation of trade unions, Education International represents 30 million workers in the teaching profession in 171 countries, while AIM brings together 41 national federations of mutual associations and in turn MGEN is a forerunning mutual health organisation in France, covering 3.3 million educational professionals and their dependents. The three partners behind the Network will provide financial and technical aid to projects and the ILO-STEP Programme will bring its vast technical knowledge and experience to the Network in a supporting role.

The Education and Solidarity Network website is available in English, French and Spanish. A series of awareness-raising meetings will be held worldwide thanks to AIM, IE and ILO-STEP in order to identify and inform prospective members. The Network launch will take place at an International Conference on the 14th and 15th May 2009 in Paris.

See the ESN website

Courses On The Extension Of Social Protection: Dakar, Senegal and Turin, Italy, November 2008

Sun, 01 Mar 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Two courses on the extension of social security coverage to excluded populations will be held in Turin, Italy from the 3rd-14th of November 2008 (in English) and Dakar, Senegal from the 17th-28th November 2008 (in French).

The courses will focus on the latest strategies developed across the world for the extension of coverage of statutory social protection systems and the development of innovative schemes. The basic social security floor advocated by the ILO, which aims to provide at least a minimum level of coverage to every citizen of a country will be presented. Another key theme that will be addressed is how to forge linkages between decentralised community schemes and other forms of social protection.

The courses objective is to strengthen the capacities of actors working on the extension of social protection coverage to informal economy workers and their families and other groups excluded from formal systems. The courses are targeted at political decision-makers working in ministries concerned with social protection, leaders and managers of organisations involved in the promotion and organisation of social protection, representatives of employers and workers as well as those of international organisations.

The courses have been organised by the ILO International Training Centre in Turin, Italy, in close collaboration with the ILO Social Security Department in Geneva; in particular its STEP Programme, as well as the sub-regional offices of the ILO in Yaoundé and Dakar.

For the course to be held in Turin: the participation fee, due in advance and excluding international travel, is 3155 Euros.

For the course to be held in Dakar: the participation fee, due in advance and excluding international travel, is 3100 Euros.

MORE INFO:

Contact Ms Miriam Boudraa

Social Protection Virtual Campus Launched At The ILC: 9 June 2008, ILO, Geneva, Switzerland

Sun, 01 Mar 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Based on advanced technology in the field of distance learning, the Virtual Campus was launched on the 9th June during the 97th Session of the International Labour Conference. This electronic platform represents a portal giving access to training offered by the International Training Centre in Turin and QUATRAIN AMERICAS. The Virtual Campus is multilingual and is integrated with the other specialised platforms of the Social Security Department.

The Social Protection Virtual Campus is a portal for the creation and dissemination of interdisciplinary knowledge. Its objective is to develop both institutional capacities and the competence of individuals in order to improve the effectiveness and the extent of coverage of social protection systems. This is achieved by means of distance learning, technical co-operation, exchange of information and experience and the formation of networks of contacts and knowledge.

Professionals from social protection institutions, representatives of employers and workers, academics, researchers, students, NGO professionals and other interested parties are invited to share this ongoing learning and communication workspace

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Intellecap's Microfinance Insights Magazine Volume 5 : Focus On Microinsurance

Sun, 01 Mar 2009 23:00:00 GMT

"Mitigating risks for the poor" in Focus on Microinsurance", Microfinance Insights, Vol. 5, December 2007, Intellecap

"Microfinance Insights" devotes this volume to Microinsurance. The magazine contains articles by worldwide experts, gathered at the Third Annual Microinsurance Conference held in Mumbai, India (see G-News N° 3).

Recognizing the role of insurance as a tool in improving the protection of low-income persons against contingencies and as a field of innovation, this volume highlights strategies that would make microinsurance more efficient for beneficiaries and commercially viable for insurers.

In this vein, Michael J. McCord states in an interview that there are three major challenges for the microinsurance sector to develop products that really respond to the needs of clients, to enhance delivery channels and to demystify microinsurance through the education of the population. He also suggests that the partner-agent model is the most promising option for scaling up microinsurance activities.

The question of distribution is also widely discussed in this volume.

In the field of innovations and best practices, the role of intermediaries between insurers and clients, MFIs, community-based organizations, mutual benefit societies and private insurers are analysed in different articles. Regulation and capacity building of intermediary institutions are mentioned as being two major factors of progress to address the vulnerability of the poor to risks.Finally, "Microfinance Insights" dedicates an article to the handbook entitled "Microinsurance Performance Indicators", in which authors develop several indicators to measure the financial performance of programmes aimed at delivering insurance to the poor.

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Platform For Health Insurance For The Poor (HIP)

Sun, 01 Mar 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Platform for Health Insurance for the Poor (HIP) aims to bring together expertise in health care and health insurance in developing countries, both through the platform itself and through regular meetings.

The idea of launching a Dutch health insurance platform arose during a workshop on health insurance in developing countries organised by Cordaid, ICCO, Plan Netherlands and the Dutch governmental Directorate General for International Cooperation (DGIS) in June 2006. Those present noted that health insurance is emerging in middle-income countries as an instrument to improve access to quality health services for those who traditionally have no access to such services. Besides which, the Netherlands has a large network of experts and organisations that wish to explore the field of health insurance.

The platform was set up in order to collect and promote knowledge, innovations and experience on a voluntary basis and to organise both formal and informal gatherings and seminars on the subject. The Platform encourages its members to actively contribute to developing and spreading knowledge in the field of health insurance by sharing findings from research and practices.

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Visit the HIP website
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Is A Social Security Floor Affordable? 15 May 2008, ILO, Geneva, Switzerland

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 23:00:00 GMT

In his presentation at the 26th Decent Work Forum, organized by the ILO's Policy Integration Department, Michael Cichon - Director of the ILO's Social Security Department- stressed that social security is not only a human right but also a social and economic necessity. Based on the study "Can low-income countries afford basic social security?", which involved a simulation exercise undertaken in 12 countries, he also asserted that basic social security for all is fiscally affordable in low-income countries.

Within this framework, the ILO proposes a set of guarantees as a "social security floor":

All residents have access to basic/essential health care benefits through pluralistic delivery mechanisms, with the State accepting general responsibility for ensuring the adequacy of the delivery system and its financing;
All children enjoy a level of income security at least at the poverty level through various family/child benefits aimed at facilitating access to nutrition, education and care;
Some targeted income support is provided to the poor and the unemployed in the active age group;
All elderly residents and those with disabilities enjoy income security at least at the poverty level through pensions for old age, disability and survivors.

The implementation of this set of guarantees is conditional on the efforts of the low-income countries themselves in conjunction with international donor support. The strategy expounded in this study is based on the premise that if the countries in question increase the level of domestic expenditure allocated to social protection (rather than maintaining current levels of allocation), they will progressively be able to finance 100% of the package themselves in the long run.

Moreover, the experience of various countries demonstrates that a variety of financing strategies are used and that linkages between different actors can be a key element in this process.

It is important to mobilize populations' ability and willingness to pay, but on a broader scale, strategies at national and international levels can be implemented as well:

governments can increase the amount of resources allocated to social protection;
efforts can be made in favour of national solidarity; through cross subsidies from social taxes, supplementary taxes (for example on hydrocarbons, the national lottery, etc.);
action can be taken to promote international solidarity; through global funds, innovative financing such as taxes on flight tickets, global social trust, migrants' transfers to their families, etc.

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Senegal: Social Protection Expenditure And Performance Review Now Available

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Senegal. Social Protection Expenditure and Performance Review (SPER), a report prepared by Pascal Annycke, ILO, 2008.

New resource now available in the GIMI and GESS libraries. This eight-chapter report based on national and international sources as well as the ILO Social Security Inquiry for 2003 and 2004, analyses Senegal's current social security systems. The report, which is organised according to the different branches of social security, examines the different schemes' expenditures and the level of benefits paid, evaluates the rate of coverage for each type of risk covered and analyses projects designed to extend social security coverage. See the report (in French)

The Municipal Council of Kribi, Cameroon, gets involved in the promotion of mutual health organisations

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 23:00:00 GMT

The executive of the Municipal Council of Kribi, Cameroon, concerned by the welfare of the people and by the difficulties they experience in getting access to healthcare; and under the strong recommendation of the Deputy Mayor of Kribi 1 Massaka (Dr. Mbvoula Joël Aristide), decided to set up a mutual health organisation in order to facilitate access to healthcare for people of all different social backgrounds living in the community.

Aware that a degree of sensitivity would be required to carry out this social project, the municipal council entrusted the NGO ASSA with the task of carrying out feasibility studies and providing technical support to help set up the MHO.

The feasibility study showed that the user rate of the health services in the town of Kribi was very low (13%). The critical lack of equipment was driving the people of Kribi to seek treatment in the hospitals of neighbouring towns, like Edéa, Douala or Yaoundé. The level of self-treatment was very high. Health services were only being used as a second or third resort.

Thanks to the feasibility report, a group of Kribi nationals living abroad took up the cause and offered a whole set of medical equipment for the Radiology Department of the Kribi district hospital.

The official opening ceremony of the Kribi community mutual health organisation took place on the 11th April 2008 under the patronage of the Prefect of the Océan Department of Cameroon and in the presence of every administrative, health, religious and traditional official of Kribi.

With regards to the treatment of members, the MHO has signed agreements with four health providers (two public, one faith-based and one private).

The mutual health initiative will help the people of Kribi to gain access to healthcare because it allows for third-party payment and will undoubtedly contribute to increasing user rates of health services.

The World Bank creates the "Insurance for the Poor" program

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 23:00:00 GMT

The "Insurance for the Poor" (IfP) Program has been recently established within the Financial and Private Sector Development Vice Presidency of the World Bank. The Program follows a market enhancement approach, recognizing that market failures can create sub-optimal wealth allocation and that private sector coordination is not always effective.

The World Bank already supports a wide range of insurance initiatives that directly benefit the target group (the poor), for example, expanding life insurance provision in rural India, piloting health savings accounts with catastrophic health insurance in Uganda, etc. Other such initiatives operate at the country level and indirectly help the poor; such as promoting sovereign catastrophe insurance in the Caribbean and supporting legislation to extend insurance coverage to the poor in Cambodia.

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ILO Releases The Social Protection Expenditure And Performance Review (SPER) for Zambia: 4th July 2008, Lusaka, Zambia

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 23:00:00 GMT

The Social Protection Expenditure and Performance Review (SPER) and Social Budget (SB) Report and Executive Summary are products of the first year of work of the ILO/DFID-funded project in Zambia: "ILO Global Campaign for Social Protection and Coverage for All as a Means to Reducing Poverty in Africa and Asia". The "SPER" is one of the key tools of the ILO's Social Security Department for assessing social protection systems and for providing an overview of these systems for the country in question.

The main finding is that neither existing contributory (social insurance) nor non-contributory (social assistance) social security provisions are adequate in terms of the numbers of the population covered, the scope of coverage and the adequacy of benefits/ payments received. This in a context in which half of the population is extremely poor, living below the poverty line, and almost two-thirds are living below the basic needs poverty line and thus moderately poor or worse. Preliminary analysis shows that Zambia could afford a basic package of social protection; universal old age pensions, targeted cash transfers and child benefits. In the longer run this package would cost no more than 1.5% of GDP and would build the foundations of a modern social protection system.

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The Gaya Mutual Health Organisation (Senegal): An Example of Partnership

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 23:00:00 GMT

The creation of a mutual health organisation in December 2004 was part of a wider community health project; a section of which was devoted to the prevention of malaria, within the general strategy of the NGO Le Partenariat in supporting the health district. The Gaya mutual health organisation benefited from the support of promoters (Promosaf and Le Partenariat) during the creation and development process. The various partners (health district officials, Le Parternatiat, Promusaf etc.) co-operated in view of responding to the high demand of the population for a means of facilitating access to health services.

As well as the technical and financial support of the promoters (Promusaf and Le Partenariat), the partners set up a working capital fund designed to promote agricultural exploitation (tomato and potato crops). One third of the net income from this agricultural exploitation will be set aside for the reinforcement of the solvency margin.

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ADAMS Programme Health Sponsoring

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 23:00:00 GMT

The idea behind the ADAMS programme's health sponsoring project is to enable the African Diaspora to play a more significant and effective role in improving their relatives' healthcare access.

Paying their families' contributions in advance (a yearly 20 to 40 Euros per person) can avoid the stressful last minute calls and the excessively high transfer fees (Western Union...). Morover, the yearly fee is smaller than the total sums sent over per year and per person, and once the family is protected they are better taken care of (prevention, illnesses are treated in the early stages, follow-ups).

The idea has received positive feedback from those members of the Diaspora who have already been contacted; via community networks, international radios (Africa No1, RFI), restaurants, hair salons and www.parrainagesante.org to name but a few. To date, 25 sponsors have joined the project.

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CNAM Paris: Certificate Of Specialisation In Public Health And Development

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 23:00:00 GMT

The National Conservatory of Arts and Trades (CNAM) in Paris is offering a 120-hour high-level specialised course on Public Health and Development, chaired by the French Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Bernard Kouchner. Designed for those already practising in the field (i.e. doctors, economists, statisticians, public health administrators, specialists in third world development etc.) this cross-disciplinary course comprises a series of 30 lectures given by specialists; all experts in their field, offering both theoretical and practical insight on health, access to healthcare, public health, health insurance and sustainable economic development. The deadline for applications is the 26th September 2008.

MORE INFO:

Access the course brochure & inscription info via GIMI

General Assembly of the UAM

Sun, 22 Feb 2009 23:00:00 GMT

The next general assembly of the African Union of Mutual Organizations will be held on 25 and 26 June in Rabat, Morocco. You will find in its website useful links, various documents to download and much more.

ENTRE NOUS ACTEURS n° 4

Sun, 08 Feb 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Community Health Financing Association For Eastern Africa

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Community Health Financing Association for Eastern Africa (CHeFA-EA) is a regional NGO that aims to improve access to quality health care for low-income populations in Eastern Africa. CHeFA-EA promotes best practices by facilitating the exchange of knowledge, information and experiences in community health financing; encouraging the faster growth of initiatives in this field. The association is a network of three national organizations that are based in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. With a strong emphasis on shared learning and development, CHeFA-EA is also open to collaboration with other networks and national organizations that have an active interest and involvement in community health financing; including those of Rwanda, Burundi and Southern Sudan. CHeFA-EA promotes community health financing through publicity and advocating in collaboration with various actors and institutions.

Involved in research on community health financing at both the national and regional levels, CHeFA-EA is working on the development and application of a Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation System for continuous project assessment, review and improvement, and is active in the archiving and sharing of management tools. CHeFA-EA runs a regional resource centre at its secretariat in Kampala, Uganda, maintains a website and publishes a semi-annual newsletter. At the local level, CHeFA-EA promotes resource mobilization to support the development of community health financing initiatives, while at the national and regional levels the association supports capacity-building activities and meetings for country networks as well as organising inter-country exchange visits and regional conferences.

MORE INFO

See the CHeFA-EA website