Cooperatives promote healthcare in Africa

This event brought together sectoral leaders and public policy experts with a clear objective: to trace the roadmap towards Universal Health Coverage through the cooperative model. Dr. Carlos Zarco, director of the Fundación Espriu, participated in the event via a video message in which he highlighted the entity's commitment to the international development of cooperative healthcare.

The impact of out-of-pocket spending

In a continent where millions of people, especially workers in the informal economy, lack medical protection, the conference underscored how cooperative microinsurance is managing to drastically reduce out-of-pocket expenses. These payments, which citizens make from their own assets due to a lack of public or private health coverage, often have a catastrophic impact on families. The lack of protection forces them to incur unsustainable debts or sell essential assets for their survival, such as land or livestock, which perpetuates the cycle of poverty.

This financial precariousness not only affects the family economy but also causes delays in seeking medical attention and treatments, increasing the severity of diseases and avoidable mortality throughout the region. Given this reality, cooperatives emerge as a tool with great potential to expand access to health and strengthen the most vulnerable communities. In the debates, a clear vision regarding the future of health in Africa predominated; cooperatives must play an essential role in it.

Challenges and transformation models

Following the success of the International Year of Cooperatives 2025, the debates in Nairobi pointed out that Africa must transition from theoretical recognition to practical implementation. However, moving towards Sustainable Development Goal 3 (health and well-being) remains a major challenge due to funding limitations and the weakness of risk mutualization mechanisms. Experts analyzed various models that are already transforming the current landscape, highlighting cooperative-based microinsurance that offers financial protection to workers with irregular incomes.

Healthcare professional cooperatives were also analyzed, which allow doctors and nurses to collectively manage services to improve their working conditions and professional autonomy. Furthermore, community health systems were highlighted, an innovative model in which the patients themselves act as members and managers of their health centers. This approach ensures that health management remains in the hands of the community itself, ensuring long-term sustainability.

Success stories on the continent

Through experiences from countries such as Brazil, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, or Zimbabwe, it was demonstrated how health cooperatives are already improving service delivery and the situation of healthcare professionals. For example, in Kenya and Uganda, medical cooperatives have proven to be a viable mechanism for professionals to access financing and improve the quality of the services they offer in a sustainable manner.

Delegates also addressed the design of scalable health models and the proposal of public policies with which governments and legislators can contribute to the development of health cooperatives. The conference concluded with a commitment to strengthen alliances between cooperatives, insurers, and policymakers to position the sector as a fundamental pillar of healthcare development in Africa. This mutual collaboration is what will allow the cooperative model to consolidate as the definitive solution to achieve the well-being and health of the entire African population.