Health Ministry suspends Insurance Scheme Bill until UMA submits views

By Ben Musanje

12^th March 2020

The Minister for Health Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng has confirmed that the National Insurance Scheme Bill, 2019 is on halt until they interact with the Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) about employers’ contribution for their workers’ scheme charges.

This follows reports that President Yoweri Museveni raised a red flag against the bill after discovering some hiccups which prompted the State Minister for Health in charge of General Duties Robinah Nabbanja to inform the Parliamentary Health Committee yesterday that the ministry is not ready to proceed with the bill unless it is allocated with more time for consultations.

The bill that aims at improving the provision and access of health services to all Ugandans is currently before the committee for perusal and was presented to parliament by the Ministry of Health after approval from cabinet.

Now, Dr. Aceng says that together with the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and the Insurance Regulatory Authority of Uganda (IRAU), the ministry is now focusing on having individuals contributing for their scheme in this bill instead of their employers meeting the costs which could affect business operations.