User Fee Exemption Policies in Mali: Sustainability Jeopardized by the Malfunctioning of the Health System

Overview

Journal BMC Health Serv Res

Publisher Biomed Central

Specialty Health Services

Date 2015 Nov 13

PMID 26559879

Citations 11

Authors

Laurence Toure

Affiliations

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Abstract

In Mali, where rates of attendance at healthcare facilities remain far below what is needed, three user fee exemption policies were instituted to promote access to care. These related to HIV/AIDS treatment, as of 2004, caesarean sections, since 2005, and treatment of malaria in children under five and pregnant women, since 2007. Our qualitative study compared these three policies, looking at their implementation provisions, functioning and outcomes. In each healthcare facility, we analysed documentation and carried out three months of on-site observations. We also conducted a total of 254 formal and informal interviews with health personnel and patients.

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