As Rwanda celebrates the 20th Liberation Day,the long journey so far made by the Government of Rwanda. Numerous initiatives taken to improve Rwandans day to day lives are registering successes. One of them is the establishment of the Military Medical Insurance MMI.

Historical Background

The development of insurance systems both optional and mandatory is a part of the Vision 2020 of Government of Rwanda. It is also a part of the Health National Policy and constitutes the Framework strategies for the Economic Development Paper for Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS). These latter empower and encourage people to participate actively in taking care of their own health by their financial contribution to health care.

The servicemen have an important and specific risk, given their profession and were completely covered by the Government of Rwanda. This represented a significant financial burden that this group was to bring the Rwandan health.

It therefore agreed to hold the military health insurance system so servicemen can contribute, even if modest, to support their health and their beneficiaries.

In addition, the RWANDA Military Hospital (RMH), being almost the only facility that provided health care to military personnel and their dependents, made it difficult to access such care, but also constituted a burden in terms of transport costs and stays for those who came from distant places. It is also, in order to secure the financial and geographical accessibility to health care that the Government of the Republic of Rwanda has established a health insurance for military personnel and their dependants.

The MMI is charged with the management, organization and operation of health insurance scheme for only its affiliated members and their legitimate dependants only within Rwandan territory. MMI was established by the Law No 23/2005 of 12/12/2005. This Law was repealed and MMI is now governed by Law No 08/2012 of 29/12/2012 determining its mission, organization and functioning. MMI has a legal personality, an administrative and a financial autonomy and is governed in accordance with laws governing public institutions.

Partnership with MMI service providers

Throughout the country, MMI has agreements with all health centers, all District Hospitals and referral hospitals, 50 private clinics and 45 pharmacies. There is therefore a real geographical coverage of the whole country. Along with its social corporate responsibilities MMI is also committed to the development of the medical sector by a continuous support and investment. MMI has started a chain of pharmacies named MEDIASOL where the drugs are more accessible by cutting down the prices.

MMI Achievements :

The Military Medical Insurance (MMI) has been in existence for nearly nine years now, since born in 2005. It has immensely improved the consumption of medical services through its solidarity support. MMI has managed to :

1. Satisfy its customers at a remarkable extent

• Improve health status of all Armed Forces and their families and dependants in general.

• Establish various branches within the entire country.
• Establish MMI own Pharmacies (MEDIASOL Pharmacies)

• Increase various profits from profitable investments
• Assistance to socio-economic vulnerable groups in the country : orphans, widows, Genocide survivors…
• To participate to corporate social responsibility : RDF socio-economic, cultural and sports activities.

Cooperation with other Countries in Africa

 MMI has become a subject of importance to open up doors for experience sharing as well as integration of activities with Sister Institutions. It is in this regards that MMI received several delegations from African countries wishing to learn more from the Rwandan Military Insurance’s experience.

Perspectives

The Military Medical Insurance can grow and be sustainable living in an open environment, in close collaboration with other institutions, both public and private. In this connection, it established partnership with other institutions, especially health insurance, and take part in meetings to exchange experiences, both at national and international level.

The MMI expects from this partnership, a transfer of experience and know-how, and in particular, access to health care in the sub region.

MMI was created to make the lives of members better through the support given them to foot medical bills. MMI is planning to open its doors even to the employees from public and private entities but, mixing with other medical insurance service providers on the market does not mean that MMI looses orientation on focusing on the servicemen/servicewomen and their families. The security organs will continue to be the MMI primary concern. For more inquiries, please contact us on 1535 or (+250) 788383338, open 24/7.

Happy Liberation Day, as MMI takes care of You !

The management