Achieving Universal Health Coverage by 2029: A strong commitment to rural areas and the informal sector

Achieving the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) goals by 2029 is part of the implementation of the National Transformation Agenda Senegal 2050, the 2025-2029 Sectoral Policy Letter, and the 2025-2029 Strategic Development Plan for the Senegalese National Health and UHC Strategy. This ambition aims to guarantee every Senegalese citizen equitable access to quality healthcare, without the risk of financial hardship, with an intermediate target of 75% population coverage by 2029.

A key pillar of the national social protection policy, the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) works to ensure financial protection against the risk of illness for all segments of the population. This mission is of particular importance for rural residents and informal sector workers, who constitute the majority of the Senegalese working population and who remain, for the most part, excluded from the traditional health insurance schemes designed for formal sector employees.

According to the Director General of SEN-CSU, Dr. El Hadji Séga GUÈYE (pictured) , the Agency is intensifying its efforts to extend health coverage to rural populations and those working in the informal economy. This initiative relies in particular on strengthening operational enrollment mechanisms, deployed with the support of departmental mutual organizations, in accordance with the guidelines and standards defined by SEN-CSU.

On the occasion of the signing, this Thursday in Dakar, of a partnership agreement with the departmental mutuals of Goudiry, Bakel and Koumpentoum, the Director General stressed the need to strengthen the penetration of the program in the most remote areas of the country so that every citizen can benefit from effective protection against the risk of illness.

“ We are more committed than ever to reducing inequalities in access to healthcare by ensuring better care for populations living in rural areas, often far from health facilities and facing economic difficulties. We are also continuing our efforts in support of the most vulnerable groups, including the indigent, children, the elderly, people living with disabilities and all categories requiring enhanced protection, through national solidarity mechanisms ,” said Dr. El Hadji Séga GUÈYE.

The Director General also emphasized that this ambition could not be achieved without strong mobilization from local stakeholders. “ We are working tirelessly to mobilize local authorities, community leaders, professional organizations, cooperatives, producer groups, as well as women’s and youth associations to encourage widespread enrollment among rural populations and informal economy workers. At the same time, we are developing innovative digital solutions to facilitate enrollment, contribution payments, benefits management, and the use of the health insurance card, with the aim of bringing Universal Health Coverage (UHC) services closer to the people ,” he added.

Through this strategy, the SEN-CSU reaffirms its commitment to building a more inclusive, equitable, and effective healthcare system. The goal is to guarantee every citizen, regardless of their place of residence, socioeconomic status, or professional activity, health coverage tailored to their needs, in line with Senegal's ambitions for social protection and human development.