In Burundi, the Carte d’Assistance Maladie has become compulsory for adults not already covered by other means. The cost is 3000 Burundian francs (US$ 1). Its success as a social protection measure depends on its implementation.
In February 2025, the government of Burundi issued an ordinance making the acquisition of a Carte d’Assistance Maladie (CAM) compulsory for adults who do not already benefit from health coverage. The cost is set at 3,000 Burundi francs (US$ 1). The author of this press article argues that this is a good health policy and an important step towards a more inclusive social protection system, in a country where the cost of health services remains high for many households.
This is a further attempt by the government to improve access to healthcare, building on the creation of the CAM in 1984, and the introduction of voluntary membership in 2012. Its success as a social protection measure depends largely on its implementation.
