Citizens Lament New Mutuelle de Santé Categories: Claim They Were Misled During Data Collection, Resulting in Undue Categorization

Kigali,– Various citizens across different parts of the country are expressing deep concerns and distress regarding the new categories for Mutuelle de Santé (Community-Based Health Insurance), claiming they have been placed in categories that do not align with their financial means, or that the data collected during the census was inaccurate.

In discussions seen in community groups, it has been revealed that some of the people who collected the data for the categories allegedly misled citizens, telling them the information was related to land which led them to provide insufficient or incorrect information. This resulted in them being placed in higher categories.

One citizen said: “The people who asked us for information on the Mutuelle categories lied to us, telling us it was about land… now they have given incorrect information about us, which led us to be assigned inappropriate categories.”

From 3,000 RWF to 20,000 RWF: The Surge in Payments

This issue of the new categories is causing significant upheaval, with some claiming they have been drastically moved up. A person provided a shocking example, saying they moved from the 3,000 RWF category to the 20,000 RWF category, an increase of seven times. They wondered: “I don’t know the census methodology that was used for a person to move from 3k to 20k, a seven-fold increase… why is it not consistent with workers’ salaries?”

Other citizens state they have been placed in the same category as those with visible wealth because it was discovered that they also check the land system to know about property, something some say is inconsistent with their ability to pay. Another citizen commented: “Imagine, I am now in the same category as a Boss who has 4 floors.”

The issue of people who provided data when they had jobs or good salaries, but later lost their jobs or regressed financially, was also highlighted.

Outcry Across the Country: From City to Rural Areas

These new categories are reported to have caused changes not only in Kigali City but also in the provinces and rural areas. One person, who referred to themselves as “in 20k,” said it would have been a problem if it were just one person, “but it is all of us, our leaders will surely resolve it,” they added.

Citizens are seeking assistance, with some stating they plan to write to the Chamber of Deputies to inquire about how these citizens’ issues were approved “online without prior discussion.”

While the public continues to express their distress and concerns, some are also requesting that discussions about the Mutuelle categories be moved to the Village forum where they are intended to be discussed.

The government has not yet commented on the unrest caused by the new categories, but citizens remain hopeful that “our leadership, which keeps us at heart, will help us and everything will go well because they know us.”