Perception de la couverture maladie universelle (CMU) par les populations en Côte d’Ivoire

The law No. 2014-131 on “Universal Health Coverage” was established in Côte d’Ivoire, at March 24, 2014. Despite this law (meant to be beneficial to the populations and which has entered its implementation phase since 2017 for the pilot phase with students and in 2019 for the national phase), the operation does not seem to meet with much interest among populations living in the country. Indeed, since the implementation of the CMU, until the start date of this study in March 2023, only 3,244,503 people have been enrolled out of a total resident population of 29,389,150 inhabitants. The study took a mixed approach, with a descriptive aim. The scope was national and the quantitative component targeted a sample of 1,200 households in urban and rural areas. The qualitative part of the study targeted 80 individuals. The study results that the majority (89%) of populations living in Ivory Coast have heard of CMU. We also note that in September 2023, nearly six (6) million inhabitants, or approximately 1/4 of the Ivorian population, are enrolled in the CMU. The populations have a good knowledge of CMU in the west (50%) and the east (40%) of the country. It also emerges from the study that one of the main reasons for people’s non-adherence to CMU is “the lack of clear information on the advantages of CMU”. The populations note that there is a gap between what is said well about CMU and its operationalization, from enrollment and obtaining the card, to the delivery of services in health centers, and pharmacies.