In Nigeria, the Kwara Community Health Insurance scheme has helped build a stronger, cost-efficient healthcare system. The program is built on a public-private partnership between the private insurer Hygeia Community Health Care, the Kwara State Government and PharmAccess Foundation. Aim of the program, set up with the support of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2007, is to provide affordable access to quality healthcare through the introduction of subsidized health insurance and the improvement of healthcare quality.
The program has delivered substantial results in Kwara State in terms of improved maternal and child healthcare. Among other results, Kwara has shown an impressive rise in women giving birth in hospital, including women who aren’t in the health insurance program: hospital deliveries rose from 50% in 2009 to 70% in 2013, an increase which can be attributed to the program.