The U.S. Government Supports Universal Health Coverage in Mali

The United States Government has supported the Malian health system for more than 60 years through a strong partnership with the Ministry of Health and Social Development. In 2022 alone, the United States invested $U.S. 95 million to improve the health and well-being of more than 17 million of Malians. In 2024, the U.S. Government, through its Agency for International Development (USAID) will launch a new Health Financing activity “PROPEL Adapt” that is designed to: 1) Increase access to affordable health insurance scheme, or Mutuelles; 2) Improve the availability and quality of health insurance schemes covering an essential package of primary health care services; 3) Improve enabling environment for the operation of health mutuelles; and 4) Fulfill a learning agenda regarding the uptake and implementation of health insurance schemes.

Specifically, the PROPEL Adapt will strengthen the capacity of existing local platforms and mechanisms for health insurance (governance, management, and financing) in the regions of Kayes, Koulikoro, Segou, Sikasso and Mopti. The activity will advance national policies and systems to find lasting solutions to very high health expenditure and high out of pocket health costs, ensure that vulnerable populations have access to quality, and affordable health care.

All activities supported by the U.S. Government are fully aligned with the strategic priorities of the Malian government and focus on health system strengthening, maternal and child health, family planning, the fight against infectious diseases (malaria, HIV/AIDS, Covid-19), global health security, nutrition, water, hygiene, and sanitation.

Mali has achieved significant reductions in infant and child mortality rates over the past decade. Despite this significant progress, Mali has one of the lowest health spending rates in the world ($35.45 per capita with 44% of spending coming from households).

To reduce the health spending burden on Malians and promote universal health coverage through resilient health systems, the Malian government adopted a law establishing the universal health insurance scheme in 2018. The U.S. Government remains committed to supporting the Mali’s efforts in favor of this initiative for the benefit of Malian populations.

As a Malian saying goes, “Health is priceless, but it always has a cost. The U.S. Government is committed to support the Ministry of Health and Social Development efforts to promote and extend mutual health insurance in rural areas of Kayes, Koulikoro, Segou, Sikasso and Mopti,” stressed Ambassador Rachna Korhonen.

Health insurance system is composed of the compulsory health insurance plan for employees in the formal economy, the medical assistance plan (5% of the indigent population) and the Voluntary health insurance covering 78% of the population (rural world and informal sector).