Mali Expands Healthcare Access: RAMED Cards for Drivers Mark Shift in Social Protection Strategy
BAMAKO – In a significant move toward expanding social protection, Mali’s government has formally extended healthcare coverage to drivers and transport operators through the Medical Assistance Scheme (RAMED), signaling a strategic focus on protecting essential workers in high-risk professions.
Ceremony Marks Policy Implementation
The symbolic distribution ceremony, presided over by Minister of Health and Social Development Colonel-Major Physician Assa Badiallo Touré on November 20, 2025, represents the practical implementation of a protocol agreement signed between the government and transport unions just one week earlier.
“It is with great appreciation that we proceed today with the symbolic distribution of RAMED cards to drivers and apprentice drivers injured during tanker convoy operations,” Minister Touré stated during the event, which was held alongside the 24th session of the ANAM Board of Directors.
Strategic Focus on Vulnerable Workers
The initiative specifically targets drivers who have suffered injuries during hazardous fuel transport operations – a recognition of the dangerous conditions faced by those maintaining Mali’s vital supply chains. This targeted approach represents a shift from broad healthcare initiatives to more focused protection for critical workforce segments.
“Drivers and apprentice drivers, through their vital role in mobility and trade, deserve dignified social protection,” Minister Touré emphasized, highlighting the government’s commitment to “equitable access to healthcare for all professional categories, particularly those working under difficult conditions.”
Broader Implications for Social Justice
The presence of both health and labor ministers at the ceremony underscores the cross-departmental nature of this social protection effort. The Minister of Labor praised the “synergy of action between the relevant departments” and called for maintaining this momentum “in favor of social justice, especially during times of crisis.”
Union representatives responded enthusiastically to the initiative, expressing gratitude to the government and proposing that November 20 be established as the National Day of Drivers and Apprentice Drivers – suggesting the profound symbolic importance this policy holds for transport workers.
Practical Impact and Future Direction
For beneficiaries, the RAMED cards translate to tangible healthcare access, enabling treatment at hospitals and healthcare facilities of their choice with what the minister described as “dignity and security.” This represents a crucial safety net for workers in an industry where injuries can mean immediate loss of income and catastrophic healthcare expenses.
Minister Touré framed the initiative as part of a broader national vision, concluding: “Together, let us continue building a Mali where every citizen’s health is a priority.” The RAMED expansion to transport workers suggests this vision includes building social protection systems that recognize the specific vulnerabilities of different occupational groups.
Source: Bamada.net