Somali Region Expands Community-Based Health Insurance to 37 More Woredas

Jigjiga, Ethiopia – The Somali Regional State officially launched the expansion of its community-based health insurance services to 37 additional woredas on May 13, 2025. This significant step, collaboration between the Somali Regional Health Bureau and the Ethiopia Health Insurance Service (EHIS), marks the fifth phase of the program's rollout in the region. The ceremony in Jigjiga was attended by high-profile officials, including Mr. Mustafe Muhammad, President of the Somali Regional State; W/ro Yamrot Andualem, Deputy Chief Director of Ethiopia's Health Insurance Service; Engineer Muhammad Shale, regional Prosperity Party leader; Dr. Musa Ahmed, head of the regional Health Bureau; Mrs. Hawa Usmail, Deputy Head of the Health Bureau; and Mr. Abdulnasser Ahmed Nuri, head of the Jigjiga branch of Ethiopia's Health Insurance Service. A Unified Approach to Healthcare Coverage President Mustafe Muhammad underscored the importance of regional unity in implementing health insurance services. "By moving away from rivalry within our region, we have been able to equally utilize health insurance to other regions," he stated, emphasizing that a cooperative approach strengthens the ability to provide comprehensive community-based health insurance. The President highlighted the remarkable progress made in the past four years, with the community-based health service expanding from its initial stages to cover 69 woredas, achieving 67% coverage in the Somali region. He also announced ambitious plans to cover the remaining 32 woredas in the coming year, aiming for full regional coverage. National Reach and Regional Success W/ro Yamrot Andualem, Deputy Director General of EHIS, provided a national perspective on the program's success. She noted that the pilot program, which began in 2003 E.C. in 13 districts across four regions, has now expanded to cover 1,195 districts nationwide. Currently, 65 million citizens benefit from the program, with 50 million making payments and an additional 15 million citizens receiving coverage despite being unable to pay. Speaking specifically about the Somali region, W/ro Yamrot praised its progress, noting that the community-based health insurance program, which started in 2004 E.C. in just one woreda (Abourie), has now reached 69 districts, covering 67% of the region's population. She reaffirmed ongoing efforts to extend the program to all remaining districts. The event also featured a presentation by Dr. Musa Ahmed on the region's community-based health insurance status and the overall health landscape. The ceremony concluded with the recognition of key contributors to the program's success, who received certificates from President Mustafe Muhammad. The Ethiopia Health Insurance Service was also honored with a reward certificate, accepted by W/ro Yamrot Andualem.