• Liberia launches digital health insurance pilot for vulnerable groups
• MoU signed by LTA, NIR, and NICOL to oversee digital infrastructure

The Liberian government is embarking on a pilot program to expand health insurance access for its most vulnerable citizens by leveraging digital technologies. A memorandum of understanding to launch the initiative was signed on Tuesday, May 27, by the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA), in partnership with the National Identification Registry (NIR) and the National Insurance Company of Liberia (NICOL).

The pilot project, set to begin enrollment on July 1, will initially target 5,000 individuals. "The MoU is a pilot project that will provide coverage for groups often underprivileged, including persons with disabilities, unemployed women and youth, pregnant women without support, and children engaged in street trading," the LTA stated in a Facebook post.

Under the agreement's terms, the collaboration will utilize digital identification systems provided by the NIR to ensure robust beneficiary verification and efficient data management. The LTA will oversee the technological infrastructure, guaranteeing secure communication and high-quality service delivery.

This initiative aligns with President Joseph Nyuma Boakai's pledge during his inaugural State of the Nation address to establish a national health insurance scheme, aiming to provide affordable healthcare to the country's most disadvantaged. Abdullah Kamara, acting chairman of the LTA, highlighted that studies in other nations demonstrate technology's potential as a catalyst in this domain. Liberia is also pursuing a broader digital transformation agenda.

Officials emphasize that this is currently a pilot program. A successful outcome will allow for comprehensive evaluation of enrollment procedures, service quality, and beneficiary feedback, with the goal of refining the system for a potential large-scale rollout.

However, limited digital penetration, particularly in Liberia's rural areas, could pose implementation challenges. Data from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) indicates that internet penetration in Liberia stood at just 23.5% in 2023. The ITU also reported that 59% of Liberians owned a mobile phone, though it did not specify the number of smartphone users.

By Isaac K. Kassouwi,

Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji