Rwanda Health Insurance

Having endured colonial rule, civil war, ethnic genocide, military coups, and still facing poverty, widespread disease, food shortages, and poor living conditions, it could be easy for Rwanda to adopt a national attitude of self-pity. Instead, while numerous hurdles must be overcome on the path to improvement, the country is now well on the road to recovery and is seeing peace and progress. While most of the 11 million population still exist on subsistence farming and a limited number of cash crops, and the 2011 per-capita income remains very low at only about US$560 and Rwanda currently ranks near the bottom of the Human Development Index as one of the 20 poorest countries on Earth, change is starting to become noticeable. Trade agreements with the United States, Europe, and China hope to bolster the national economy and provide some much needed relief, and the current democratic government is not guilty of sitting on their hands but rather has begun taking positive steps by implementing plans to improve infrastructure, healthcare, education, and civil services.

Rwanda’s Healthcare System and Health Insurance

After the violence that culminated in the genocide of 1994, claiming an estimated 10 percent of the nation's population as casualties, such basic needs as clean water, medical supplies and treatments, and food were in short supply. Many doctors and healthcare staff had fled for their lives to neighboring countries, and some medical facilities were looted or burned. Thankfully, most were reopened and thanks to assistance from many foreign aide groups and the new government, care is again being offered.

It should be noted that the level of care available in Rwanda is still very basic and given the health condition of the average Rwandan, heavily burdened. General health indicators show an average life expectancy of 57 years, and about 20 percent of children die before age five. Maternal mortality remains high at 0.38 percent for 2010, though the figures have been on the decline in recent years. A marked increase in the number of nurse attended births is credited with significant improvements in survival of baby and mother.

Currently the largest health risks facing Rwanda are due to mosquito-borne and infectious disease. Yellow and dengue fever are endemic to the country and containment efforts have only been partially successful. Malaria is epidemic in Rwanda and a large number of deaths are attributed to the disease annually. Other killers include diarrhea, typhoid, rabies, meningitis, tuberculosis, respiratory infections, and HIV/AIDS.

Very few doctors are available in Rwanda, the current ratio of permanent resident doctors to patients is about 1:50,000, one of the lowest figures worldwide. While some organizations such as Doctors Without Borders, the Peace Corps, Partners in Health, and UNAIDS operate in Rwanda to assist in reduction and spread of disease, their physicians are typically only in the country for a short period.

While several plans are being implemented in Rwanda to expand the availability of healthcare in Rwanda, most are still in the planning or groundbreaking stages and actual offerings remain few. Public healthcare is a tiered system of local clinics and health centers, district hospitals, and two public national referral hospitals for secondary care. As well, some specialty care is offered through arrangements with neighboring African countries as well as India.

The expanding network of primary care district hospitals are now finally serving all areas of the country, though their capabilities are certainly not up to the standards expected by anyone from a developed country. Slowly, however, the situation is improving for the district hospitals as Burera, one of the poorest districts of Rwanda, just received donation of the new and very modern 150 bed Butaro Hospital which features an emergency room, modern equipment, an intensive care unit, two surgical suites, imaging, pharmacy, birthing, dentistry, diagnostics, and ongoing staff training. This facility is being hailed as the prototype for all district hospitals to be refurbished an upgraded to in the coming years. Additionally, in November 2011 the Rwanda Ministry of Health announced intent to build another referral hospital with cardiac, neurological, and organ transplant surgery capabilities in cooperation with Indian healthcare company Apollo Hospitals Group, though formal plans for construction have not yet been arranged.

The two current public tertiary hospitals operating in Rwanda, the University Teaching Hospital of Butare (UTHB) which serves the southern portion of the country from Mamba and the Muhima Hospital in Kigali which serves the north, are the most capable and best staffed facilities in the country though referral is required for treatment and they cannot be accessed directly except in case of dire emergency. The King Faisal Hospital in Kigali is a private hospital open to all who can afford their own care and has emergency, diagnostic, and some surgical capabilities as well. Further a few charity operated hospital clinics and demi-hospitals are spread throughout the country offering basic services.

Rwanda Medical Insurance Information

Where Rwanda really proved its genuine intention of improving its standard of living is by the fact that it has adopted a national health insurance scheme which is approaching universal enrollment. Sponsored by the state government and heavily subsidized by foreign funding and charity groups, the “mutuelles de santé” (healthcare mutual plans) cover basic healthcare needs for an estimated 92 percent of the population for the annual cost of only US$2 per person. Sadly this amount is still unattainable for the poorest sector of society, and unfairly cheap for the richest, but fee adjustments are being considered along with plans for expansion of services. Currently the care covered is limited so as to focus on the largest health threats first and create a healthier society for the next generation to improve upon.

Foreigners visiting or living in Rwanda would be grossly underwhelmed with the level of care offered by the national scheme and most therefore choose private Rwanda health insurance for themselves and their families. Due to the limited medical resources available within the country, many also choose to avail themselves of some sort of emergency medical air transport or repatriation service as well in case evacuation abroad is required to ensure their good health as these services are typically very costly and insurance coverage is usually quite affordable.

Rwanda Travel Insurance Information

With one of the largest gorilla populations in the world as well as vast savannahs populated by Africa's ever-popular large game and three large national parks to ensure protection, Rwanda is now seeing steady growth in the eco-tourism industry and bringing in much needed revenue as a result. Travel is made easier by the adoption of three national languages: the local Kinyarwanda, as well as English and French.

Tourists should be aware that all persons over nine months of age wishing to visit Rwanda must present a yellow fever vaccine prior to entry. Further vaccinations to be considered include hepatitis A and B, typhoid, rabies, and polio and all should ensure that their routine immunizations and booster shots are up to date.

Further, it is strongly advised that all bring anti-diarrhea medication, hand sanitizer, insect repellant, and malaria medication from their home country, as these items are often difficult to obtain within Rwanda. Anyone requiring a prescription medication to maintain good health should bring a sufficient supply in the original container for the entire extent of their stay.

A large scale government initiative in recent years has brought access to improved water sources up to about 75 percent of the population, though typically rural areas are served through a community standpipe. All visitors should boil, filter, or treat all water before drinking and only drink bottled water with a tamper-proof seal intact. Sanitary sewer connection remains very low with an estimated 35 percent of urban areas and 20 percent of rural areas served. Rwanda has one of the lowest percentages of population served with electricity in the world, with only about six percent having access as of 2009. Visitors to remote areas should plan accordingly.

Though Rwanda is very close to the equator, thanks to its high average altitude weather remains mild, with average yearly temperatures ranging from 10-30°C. There are two distinct rainy seasons, from February through June and September through December. It is best to do research on the area you intend to visit for specific details regarding weather as geography varies widely despite Rwanda's small size.

Rwanda Expat Medical Insurance

As encouraging as the accomplishments and further plans of improvement are, even the most basic needs of many still go unrealized in Rwanda. All who are considering traveling or relocating to Rwanda should consider seriously the health risks involved and how to plan accordingly. Expat Medical Insurance can help to reduce the stress of preparation by offering affordable comprehensive Rwanda Health Insurance Plans or International Medical Insurance Packages that are customizable to fit the level of coverage you desire. Our expert insurance advisers will help you free of charge to select the plan that best fits your specific needs. Contact us today for full details and a free price quote regarding coverage.