Cnamgs reform: Franck Nguema pushes for effective healthcare access

Franck Nguema, the former Minister of Youth and Sports, called for a sweeping overhaul of the National Health Insurance and Social Guarantee Fund (CNAMGS) during a press briefing held on 8 June 2026 in Akanda. Responding to discussions triggered by the World Health Organization’s 2025 report, he argued that the core issue is not whether CNAMGS should exist, but whether it can guarantee insured members genuine access to quality medical care. According to him, the WHO report does not label CNAMGS as a “fraud” or “scam,” but instead highlights the urgent need for system reform.

The former government official noted that Gabon has achieved significant administrative health coverage, with nearly 76% of the population enrolled. However, this progress remains insufficient if beneficiaries continue to face obstacles when trying to see a doctor, obtain medication, receive hospital care, or get treatment within reasonable timeframes. He maintained that the gap between declared coverage and the actual experience fuels policyholder frustration and undermines trust in the social protection system.

Towards effective care at CNAMGS

Franck Nguema proposes complementing the expansion of health coverage with a “national guarantee of effective medical coverage.” CNAMGS’ performance should no longer be judged solely by the number of enrollees or cards issued, but also by concrete indicators such as healthcare access rates, medicine availability, treatment delays, and the reduction of out-of-pocket expenses for households.

In his view, this shift would represent a true paradigm change. By placing health outcomes at the centre of its mission, CNAMGS could become a tool for efficiency and poverty reduction. The former minister urged authorities to pursue an ambitious reform that turns administrative coverage into genuinely effective medical coverage, benefiting all Gabonese citizens.