Togo plans supplementary health cover to strengthen universal insurance

Health

Wednesday, 08 April 2026 15:35

Togo plans supplementary health cover to strengthen universal insurance

(Togo First) - Togolese health authorities are considering the introduction of supplementary health insurance to complement the country's Universal Health Insurance scheme (AMU).

A training seminar bringing together insurers, mutual funds and management bodies opened in Lomé on Tuesday to prepare the rollout of the new framework.

The initiative aims to fill gaps in the AMU's basic benefits package, in place since January 2024.

"Supplementary insurance has a decisive role to play in covering services not included in the basic package," said Dissaliba Winga, secretary general at the Ministry of Health.

Technical and financial challenges

The seminar includes sessions on product design, pricing, governance and risk management, with the aim of ensuring the financial and operational viability of future schemes.

Trainer Saâd Taoujni said the challenges go beyond technical considerations. Not all medical procedures are covered, he explained, underscoring the need for a tailored complementary mechanism. "Some services are not covered, and that is the case everywhere," he said.

Ensuring the system's sustainability remains a key concern. Discussions are focusing on contribution levels, fraud risks and households' ability to pay.

"Can household purchasing power sustain high contribution levels?" Taoujni asked.

Beyond the training, authorities expect the seminar to produce practical recommendations to help develop this segment of the market and ensure coordination between public insurance and private providers. The objective is to expand coverage while keeping costs and risks under control.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

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