Kigali — Finance and Economic Minister, James Musoni yesterday put up a spirited defence of the draft law for Rama, a national medical insurance scheme, before Senators unanimously passed the bill. The lawmakers had earlier questioned the relevancy of setting up a separate commission charged with negotiating and designing contracts on behalf of Rama.

"I really don't understand the essence of setting up a fully fledged commission just to take care of contracts; can't this responsibility be alternatively done by the Board of Directors (of Rama)? It would make sense if the commission is tasked to execute other duties like mitigating eventual disagreements that concern the organisation," argued outspoken Senator Antoine Mugesera.

Senator Joseph Karemera questioned the motive behind the establishment of the commission since other government parastatals have no such unit.

"Is RAMA (just) setting precedence? We have passed so many bills on various government agencies in the past and none had a commission exclusively dealing with contracts; I don't think it's necessary here (either)," he observed

However, Musoni effectively responded to the MPs' queries. "This has always been the case as far as RAMA is concerned. We feel this task of negotiating and designing contracts is tangible, enormous and enough; so I think the clause has no problem."

The provision is stipulated in Article 22 in the 28-article bill establishing the structure and functioning of Rama.

Musoni said that the commission of contracts is one of the three administrative units of Rama. Others are the Board of Directors and Management.

The minister was backed by Senator Vice President Prosper Higiro. "I do think its (commission's) sole responsibility is clear and enough thus it's a necessity."

The lawmakers also demanded the merging of Rama and Mutuelle de Sante, another public health insurance scheme.

While Rama is meant for civil servants and other salaried workers, Mutuelle de Sante is for all members of the general public.

In response, Musoni said: "As you very well know medical insurance is rather a new phenomenon in this country, so there was need for the population and the government to first acquaint themselves with the initiative.

"But since it has taken root, in the near future we shall start deliberating on how we can merge RAMA, Mutuelle (de Sante) and the military medial program (Military Medical Insurance) to harmonise service delivery."