HEALTH INSURANCE PROJECT “MY FAMILY’S HEALTH”

Although Cambodia is now an emerging area, there is still a need for more accessible and quality health care. Since 1999 HealthNet TPO is working with ‘health contracts’ to make health care more accessible and affordable. This model introduces “performance based” care contracts as well as contributions from patients. The contract model is further developed and now serves as a base for a community based health insurance scheme.

“My Family’s Health”The objective of this project is to build a health insurance scheme that is embedded in the community. It should become a sustainable not-for-profit cooperative organization that is owned by its members. The scheme has been given the name My Family’s Health. HealthNet TPO together with its local implementing partner, the Reproductive and Child Health Alliance (RACHA), assists the community in building cooperative associations that will manage the scheme and reinforce social protection and economic empowerment. In addition, Achmea has committed itself to provide the technical input and know-how in order to reach the self-sustainability of the project.

Key elements of the programme are: 

a)    Awareness and promotions campaigns

b)    Contracting local health centers to provide care

c)    Capacity building of staff

d)    Attrack new members and premium collection

Activities and results include:

• 4356 people are insured against high health costs beginning of 2013
• As of 200,000 individual members the scheme will become sustainable and independent
• Quality of care has improved significantly, but still needs attention
• The information system on registrations in place and monitors membership and membership history, records on payments of contributions, utilization of health care, and selected health indicators, as well as financial indicators.
• New funding is essential to keep the programme running

Since: 2005

Aim:  Poverty reduction by decreasing out-of-pocket expenditure on health, and better health through qualitative care.

Donors: Achmea and HealthNet TPO

Region: Pearang Operational District in the Prey Veng province

Mr. Pum Lork and Mrs. Sokhoeun Lork (picture above) have been living in Prey Ting Village in the Prey Veng Province since they were young. They have three children and a mother living with them. They both are farmers. Their children are students at Primary school.

Last year, Sokhoeun was operated tumor on her neck. She paid over $300. Now her health is normal. Her husband, Mr Lork says “nothing is forever, especially life of people. Nobody knows exactly he would not be sick or when he would be sick. So I have to protect my family”.

Now the family is enrolled in My Family’s Health. Mr. Lork says “76,800 Riels (around $19, red.) is not expensive for protecting the health of my whole family. I think I will be a member of the insurance scheme as long as the programme is there and the hospital keeps providing good service like this”. Mr Lork continues, “Last week, my son got a respiratory infection. He was admitted in the Pediatric Department at the Pearaing Hospital. The physicians took care with us and now my son is well”.