The Joint Learning Network for UHC is growing! Help us extend a warm welcome to our newest member, Republic of Côte d’Ivoire!
Officially known as the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, it is a vibrant nation located on the south coast of West Africa. With a population of approximately 30 million (2024 estimate) and an area of 322,463 km², it is one of the world’s leading producers of cocoa and cashew nuts. While French is the official language, the country is home to over 60 ethnic groups and approximately 78 indigenous languages, including Dioula, which serves as a major trade language.
The government is steadfastly committed to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and has made significant progress over the years. Their vision is a nation where all individuals, regardless of socioeconomic status, can access quality healthcare without financial hardship. Since the operationalization of UHC (known locally as CMU) in 2019, the Ministry of Health has actively rolled out targeted free healthcare and strategic reforms.
Post-2018, the ministry has been dedicated to strengthening its health system through a massive hospital program, dedicating 1,200 billion CFA francs to building and rehabilitating infrastructure. Collaboration with development partners and other ministries is crucial in defining a roadmap for UHC and addressing systemic challenges such as healthcare fragmentation and data quality.
Furthermore, the government has expressed its commitment to providing the necessary leadership to significantly decrease maternal and child mortality. The focus is on three (3) UHC priority areas:
- Expanding Access to Primary Healthcare: Increasing geographical access, with 82% of the population living within 5 km of a health center as of 2024.
- Health Financing: Developing sustainable financing mechanisms to reduce out-of-pocket expenditures, which dropped from 60% in 2011 to 31% by 2023.
- Workforce Development: Training and motivating a skilled workforce to meet increased demand, particularly in rural regions.
As Côte d’Ivoire joins the JLN family, it aims to leverage JLN’s expertise for designing a UHC roadmap tailored to its needs, fostering a network of 300 key actors to drive progress, and sharing its early experiences in CMU enrollment and digital management systems.
Immediate areas of learning include:
- Understanding Health Financing Models: Exploring sustainable financing systems for UHC in resource-constrained environments.
- Strengthening Service Delivery: Learning strategies to reduce inequalities in access for vulnerable and marginalized groups.
- Policy and Governance: Gaining insights into effective methodologies for measuring the impact of UHC reforms.
