Community-based Health Insurance among Senegalese Migrants in Spain: The Impact of Transnational Online Groups

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There is extensive evidence indicating that migrant populations in the European Union, particularly those grappling with legal and administrative instability, encounter substantial barriers in accessing universal healthcare coverage. This research explores how migrant organizations respond to these challenges, focusing on the development of collective protection mechanisms among Senegalese communities in Spain. Senegalese associations abroad have been widely discussed in literature as providers of funds for the repatriation of the bodies of the deceased to the country of origin. This study captures further development of these organizations and their expansion to address medical needs.
The project aims to analyze the impact of Community-based Health Insurance (CBHI) on healthcare access of Senegalese migrants. In this paper, we focus specifically on the crucial role of transnational online groups in facilitating the functioning of CBHI. Due to the exploratory character of the study, we opted for a qualitative research design. The data was gathered through 28 in-depth interviews conducted across various Spanish localities, complemented by a discussion group.
The paper provides a general overview of the origin, patterns of membership, and key characteristics of CBHI, as a necessary background to understand the uses and implications of online tools to coordinate organizational activities. It analyzes how online groups enable the mobilization of funds necessary to address unmet medical needs. It also shows how digital tools may serve to exercise social pressure on members to adhere to the requirements posed by the associations.
Findings indicate that CBHI represents a socially innovative response to healthcare gaps, leveraging community resources where public and private systems fall short. Moreover, the research identifies a trend of transnational healthcare initiatives, wherein insurance funds are utilized not only for local healthcare but also for facilitating return and care in Senegal.
This study contributes to ongoing discussions on the role of digitalization in migratory contexts, underscoring its role in fostering transnational connections and bolstering the operational efficiency of migrant organizations. By highlighting these dynamics, the research underscores the potential of digital tools to stimulate community resilience and enhance grassroots migrant initiatives in the field of healthcare.

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October 22, 2024 at 10:37 am

Thank you very much for the very interesting experience discussed. I would like to know a little more about the methodology interviewed, specifically the actors interviewed or analysed. I don't know if private health companies or corporations/mutual health insurance companies were involved. Thank you very much.

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October 23, 2024 at 4:19 pm

Thank you for your question. We conducted a total of 28 in-depth interviews with participants who are all members of Community-Based Health Insurance (CBHI), including individuals involved in managing the collected funds. The final sample encompasses a diverse range of participants in terms of administrative status, labor market insertion, sociodemographic profiles, and migration history.

We did not include private health companies and corporations from our study, as we aimed to focus on the strategies employed by migrants who, largely due to economic and bureaucratic barriers, are unable to access health insurance provided by such organizations.

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