Claims data from health insurance programmes in sub-Saharan Africa: an untapped resource to promote Universal Health Coverage

Abstract

### Summary box In the effort to advance towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC), several African countries are implementing public health insurance programmes to increase financial risk protection, reduce catastrophic health expenditure and broaden access to services for treatment and prevention of disease.1 2 In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), 8 out of 49 countries have implemented some form of national-level contributory public health insurance system, and at least 7 others have passed legislation or are in the process of planning a national health insurance programme (Figure 1).1 However, programmes face challenges with low enrolment, limited uptake of services and uncertain financial sustainability. These programmes can greatly benefit from analyses to identify opportunities for improvement and to support national policymaking. Figure 1 Does a national public insurance program exist, and has there been published research using claims data? *Status of …