The Council of Ministers of the Togolese government met on Wednesday, October 4th, 2023, under the effective presidency of His Excellency Faure Essozimna GNASSINGBE, President of the Republic. Several decisions were made during this meeting. Find below the full summary.
The council reviewed four (04) draft decrees and listened to three (03) communications.
The discussions primarily focused on universal health coverage.
At the opening of the meeting, the council of ministers listened to a first communication regarding universal health coverage, specifically the technical parameters of implementation, presented by the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Dialogue.
This communication aimed to report to the council of ministers the practical proposals intended to accelerate the process of implementing universal health coverage.
The Head of State, in line with his policy of social cohesion and harmony, as well as the promotion and development of human capital, instructed the government to strengthen and extend social protection to all segments of the population. Thus, universal health coverage, placed among the priority projects of the 2020-2025 Roadmap, was enshrined by Law No. 2021-022 of October 18th, 2021 establishing universal health coverage in the Togolese Republic.
The communication presented today in the Council of Ministers reaffirms the emphasis on equal access to essential or primary healthcare, healthcare quality, and solidarity.
It puts forward proposals revolving around the healthcare package, contribution rates, the architecture of universal health coverage, and the anticipated timetable for the integration of different categories of the population into universal health coverage.
It should be noted that the timetable for the integration of different layers and categories of affiliates into universal health coverage starts on January 1st, 2024.
In conclusion, the success of accelerating the process of universal health coverage in our country requires the collaboration and involvement of all: social actors, public authorities, citizens, and technical and financial partners of Togo.
The President of the Republic instructed the government to continue the inclusive approach and permanent consultation in the implementation of the universal health coverage deployment process.
Under the draft decree,
The council has examined and adopted a first decree determining the reference basket of health care for universal health insurance for public sector employees and formal private sector workers.
This text details the comprehensive package of guaranteed benefits, taking into account the need to provide basic health care and maintain the technical and financial balance of the scheme.
It defines three groups or categories of people subject to universal health insurance:
- Public servants and similar categories, as well as recipients of civil and military pensions;
- Private sector workers, recipients of private sector retirement pensions, religious leaders, self-employed workers, and individuals in the informal and agricultural sectors;
- Vulnerable individuals.
It is specified that the different categories of insured individuals have the option to subscribe to supplementary health care packages.
The adoption of this decree ensures equitable access to essential health care for different segments of the population through universal health insurance.
The council has examined and adopted a second decree establishing the contractual framework between the management organizations and the delegated management organizations of universal health insurance.
Law No. 2021-022 of October 18, 2021, establishing universal health insurance in the Republic of Togo, has provided for the possibility of delegating certain competencies and functions of the universal health insurance management organization to delegated management organizations. This is intended to increase the efficiency of services, bring services closer to users, and facilitate better communication among stakeholders.
This decree allows the universal health insurance management organizations to rely on proven expertise in the field and strengthen proximity to the population. It will enhance efficiency, promptness, and good administration of universal health insurance.
The council has examined and adopted a third decree setting out the conditions for accessing health care services covered by universal health insurance.
This decree regulates the conditions for opening access rights to health care services, the different types of existing health facilities, and defines the coordinated care pathway that insured individuals must follow.
It aims to regulate access to services guaranteed by universal health insurance.
The council has examined and adopted a fourth decree setting the rates, amounts, and methods of collection of social contributions and other contributions due under the universal health insurance scheme.
This decree defines the base and rates of social contributions for individuals subject to the mandatory basic health insurance scheme, and specifies the payment and collection methods, defined and adapted according to the specificities of each category or group of insured individuals, taking into account their income nature in particular.
For individuals belonging to the category of vulnerable insured, a monthly flat-rate contribution will be proposed, the amount of which will be determined later.
The adoption of this decree allows the universal health insurance management organization (INAM and CNSS) to have the necessary legal instruments to effectively initiate the implementation of universal health insurance. It also establishes equitable financing that takes into account each person’s ability to contribute.
As for communications,
The council has heard a second communication on the project for the electrification of 317 rural areas, presented by the Minister Delegate to the President of the Republic, in charge of Energy and Mines.
Initiated in 2019, the project for the electrification of 317 rural areas through solar mini-grids involves the construction of a solar mini-power plant for each affected locality and the deployment of low-voltage electrical networks for household connections.
Considering the general and localized developments that necessitate an update and recalibration of the project’s scope, a new selection of localities for which electrification through mini-grids remains relevant has been made based on criteria including distance, population density, housing concentration, and consumption potential.
