The National Health Insurance Fund in Sudan has announced a new strategy to strengthen its Takaful system and ensure sustainability. The fund's Director-General, Dr. Farouk Nur Al-Daim, revealed that the organization has reached approximately 2,700 health facilities across 120 localities and 335 administrative units nationwide. This development aims to improve the healthcare system's resilience in the face of ongoing challenges.
Dr. Nur Al-Daim stated that the fund has been working to develop its services and ensure continuity. Established in 2000 under the Ministry of Health, the fund underwent modifications in 2001 and 2003 before commencing operations in 2003. Initially, it operated under a presidential system with executive branches in various states, transitioning to a state-based branch system in 2016.
The fund's strategy spans from 2007 to 2031, divided into four-year plans. Emphasizing the values of justice and sustainability, the fund aims to provide continuous healthcare services to insured individuals throughout the year. The services encompass primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare levels, enhancing access to medical care across different regions.
The fund's network of contracted health facilities currently comprises 1,885 facilities, including health centers and hospitals, along with 600 additional facilities offering supplementary medical packages. This brings the total number of facilities providing health insurance services to around 2,700. Dr. Nur Al-Daim highlighted that the supplementary medical package represents a significant advancement in the services offered.
To ensure equitable access to healthcare, the fund has established criteria for distributing facilities, preventing concentration in specific areas and guaranteeing services for insured individuals across various localities and administrative units. The services provided include essential healthcare, as well as secondary and tertiary care levels.
The fund is implementing diverse models for delivering healthcare services in seven states, including the five Darfur states, South Kordofan, and West Kordofan. These models involve operating fund-owned centers through contracts with organizations providing free services, partnerships with local communities offering minimum services, and direct and indirect service provision.
Dr. Nur Al-Daim expressed concern that inflation poses a significant threat to the sustainability of the health insurance system. He noted that the fixed subscription value for 2024 and 2025 has eroded due to inflation, equivalent to approximately $7. The fund is conducting an actuarial study to assess its ability to meet financial obligations and the citizens' capacity to pay premiums.
Key points
- The National Health Insurance Fund has developed a new strategy to enhance its Takaful system and ensure sustainability amid challenges from war and inflation.
