Access to Care for Indigent People During the Colonial Period in Senegal (1852-1960)

Current health systems, particularly in Senegal, are struggling to ensure that the indigent population has access to health care. Although the recent situation has been well-studied, there remains a lack of historical research on the subject. When Senegal gained independence in 1960, did the country inherit a health care system that did not adequately meet the needs of indigent people and their access to care? This article shows that from 1852 to 1960, access to health care for the indigents was not a political and financial priority, that the colonial administration often confused the Indigenous people with the indigent people, and that the latter faced discrimination in accessing health care. The analysis shows that the current challenges in accessing health care for indigent people are a continuation of colonial history. There is an urgent need for change to achieve greater equity.