ABSTRACT
Rwandan leaders realized that health equity was central to the country's Vision 2020, which invokes the principles of inclusive, people-centered development, and social cohesion. Rwanda has used several strategies to improve its health system and each has contributed to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). However, one strategy, Mutuelles de Santé/community-based health insurance (CBHI) appears to have impacted significantly on the general improvement of health indicators in Rwanda. In addition to the increased utilization rate, the results from a household survey in 2013, conducted among CBHI beneficiaries, showed that CBHI improves access to health services for the population. CBHI has been a success story because of the strong political commitment from both central and decentralized governments. The Rwandan CBHI experience offers valuable lessons to other low-income countries. The rapid expansion of the Mutuelles program and high rates of enrollment suggest a strong societal consensus regarding equal opportunity for all citizens to access healthcare with financial protection.
