An analysis of the user-free policy for health care in Kenya : is the effort worth it?

This study analyses the user fee policy for health care in Kenya that was introduced to try and recoup some of the costs incurred in providing care as well as rationalise the use of resources. The study aims to generate policy-related findings that are crucial to MOH policy makers in their attempt to provide quality and affordable care. In particular, factors associated with proper function or malfunction of the user fee policy are discussed. The study focussed on four hospitals located in Central province of Kenya. This province was purposefully chosen for its convenience and its high potential for cost recovery. Equity in health care consumption, efficiency, sustainability and perceived quality of care are reviewed. Both primary and secondary data were used. Quantitative and qualitative data were solicited by way of administering questionnaires. Respondents were divided into two categories: providers (staff) and consumers (patients) of health care. The latter were subdivided into inpatients and outpatients. Each of these categories had a specific questionnaire. Further, an attempt is made to estimate net revenue generated in the year 1997/98 by the facilities under study. Costs associated with fee collection were estimated on monthly basis and then projected for the whole year. There are important findings from the study; though patients are charged higher fees at hospitals than at primary levels in order to bolster the referral system, many patients are bypassing the nearby primary care facilities. This study recommends that bypassing patients should be charged higher fees than referred ones.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Health Economics Unit

Year dc:date.issued

1999

Author dc:creator

• Mwangi, PK

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Thomas, Stephen

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/14262

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/14262