Problems of cost recovery implementation in district health care: a case study from Niger.
This article describes and analyzes the impact of the introduction of a cost recovery system in 11 health centres of Tillabéri district, Niger, West Africa, between August 1997 and August 1999. The study is based on data collected by the health workers, observations of district activities and policy meetings and literature from similar programmes in the region. The central question addressed by this article is why a well-formulated programme, which was implemented accordingly, failed to succeed. The system described fits within the national health policy framework in Niger, which opted to introduce fixed attendance fees in health centres. The system was introduced as a part of a comprehensive package to improve the accessibility, quality and organization of the districts' health care. Discussed are the problems encountered in the functioning of the system, such as the unpredictability of the cost recovery rate, the drop in patients' attendance and the undermining effect of serious and regular shortages of essential generic drugs at the wholesale dealer. Further discussed are the supervision and control of the financial and drug administration and the participation of the population, which are identified as key areas of interest for sustainability of any cost recovery system.
Meuwissen
Liesbeth Emm
LE
SNV/Nicaragua, p/a Ministerial van Buitenlandse Zaken, The Hague, The Netherlands. LeisbethMeuwissen@yahoo.com
D003151:Community Health Centers / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003256:Community Participation; D017047:Cost Sharing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018954:Drugs, Essential / Q000600:supply & distribution; D005251:Fees, Medical; D005375:Financial Audit; D006291:Health Policy; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D009111:Local Government; D009548:Niger; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000191:economics
D018954:Drugs, Essential