I have recently returned from Bamako, Mali where MLI co-sponsored the kick-off workshop of a recently launched process by Mali’s Ministry of Social Development, Solidarity, and the Elderly (MDSSPA) to develop and implement a strategy to expand mutuelles de santé nationwide to provide financial access to health care for 80% of its population currently not covered by any form of health insurance. The workshop, titled “National diagnostic and discussion toward scaling up mutuelles de santé in Mali,” was held the 24-26 of September 2009 in Bamako . This event drew approximately 76 people from all regions of Mali to share experiences and reach a common understanding of the state of development of mutuelles today in Mali, as well as the goals and plans of the Government to increase its commitment to a more rapid and systematic expansion of mutuelles beginning in 2010. Participants represented civil society, locally elected leaders, and health and social development technicians and decision makers.

The leadership of the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) in Nepal prepared its proposal to the Ministerial Leadership Initiative for Global Health (MLI) around the same time that my family and I had decided to move back to Nepal in early 2008. Given that Nepal has recently emerged from a decade-long civil conflict and the country is in the midst of creating a "New Nepal", it seemed an opportune time to join MLI. The MoHP wanted to improve access to and use of essential health care services by the poor and marginalized population, and ensure sustainability of theses services throughout the country.