North Kigezi Diocese Launches Community Health Insurance Scheme

Bishop Onesimus Asiimwe of North Kigezi Diocese has initiated a Community Health Insurance Scheme, emphasizing the importance of financial preparedness for medical emergencies. He highlighted that planning, saving, and investing are crucial for families to manage the escalating costs of healthcare and avoid distress during unforeseen illnesses.

The official launch took place at Emmanuel Cathedral Kinyasano and followed an extensive training session for key diocesan personnel. This training included archdeacons, department heads, health board members, clergy, and administrators of diocesan health centers. The program was supported by DGRV, a German organization focused on capacity building for cooperative schemes, in collaboration with Uganda’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives.

Facilitators from DGRV and the Ministry guided participants on aspects like member and financial mobilization, leadership structure formation, bylaw development, and cooperative registration. Success stories from similar schemes in Ankole and North West Ankole Dioceses were shared, demonstrating the effectiveness of collective savings and shared responsibility in accessing affordable healthcare.

Bishop Asiimwe expressed strong confidence in the scheme’s success, citing the positive outcomes elsewhere. He stated the scheme’s primary goal is to provide a manageable and accessible healthcare financing option for all Christians in the diocese. He urged attendees to actively promote the scheme’s benefits to their communities.

Initial registration saw 30 members join by paying a Shs 30,000 fee. Membership is open to individuals who recruit at least four others, as well as groups and institutions. The Bishop also prayed for the scheme’s successful implementation, reminding Christians that while faith is vital for healing, practical preparations are also a sign of good stewardship.

Source: https://nilepost.co.ug/news/353263/north-kigezi-bishop-launches-community-health-insurance-scheme