title: Maternal and reproductive health financing in Burundi: public-sector contribution levels and trends from 2010 to 2012.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  An understanding of public financial flows to reproductive health (RH) at the country level is key to assessing the extent to which they correspond to political commitments. This is especially relevant for low-income countries facing important challenges in the area of RH. To this end, the present study analyzes public expenditure levels and trends with regards to RH in Burundi between the years 2010 to 2012, looking specifically at financing agents, health providers, and health functions.
  
  
  METHODS
  The analysis was performed using standard RH sub-account methodology. Information regarding public expenditures was gathered from national budgets, the Burundi Ministry of Public Health information system, and from other relevant public institutions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Public RH expenditures in Burundi accounted for $41.163 million international dollars in 2012, which represents an increase of 16 % from 2010. In 2012, this sum represented 0.57 % of the national GDP. The share of total public health spending allocated to RH increased from 15 % in 2010 to 19 % in 2012. In terms of public agents involved in RH financing, the Ministry of Public Health proved to play the most important role. Half of all public RH spending went to primary health care clinics, while more than 70 % of this money was used for maternal health; average public RH spending per woman of childbearing age stagnated during the study period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The flow patterns and levels of public funds to RH in Burundi suggest that RH funding correctly reflects governmental priorities for the period between 2010 and 2012. In a context of general shrinking donor commitment, local governments have come to play a key role in ensuring the efficient use of available resources and the mobilizing of additional domestic funding. A strong and transparent financial tracking system is key to carrying out this role and making progress towards the MDG Goals and development beyond 2015.
authors.affiliation: Center for Health Systems Research, National Institute of Public Health, Universidad No. 655 Colonia Santa María Ahuacatitlán, Cerrada Los Pinos y Caminera, C.P. 62100, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico. claire.chaumont@insp.mx.
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chaumont
authors.affiliation: Performance Based Financing Planning Unit, Ministry of Public Health and Fight Against AIDS, Rue Pierre Ngendandumwe, Bujumbura, Burundi. Carmenys@yahoo.fr.
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Muhorane
authors.affiliation: United Nations Population Fund, Avenue d'Uvira, IMHQ BNUB, Bujumbura, Burundi. moreira@unfpa.org.
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Moreira-Burgos
authors.affiliation: National Reproductive Health Programme, Ministry of Public Health and Fight Against AIDS, Rue Pierre Ngendandumwe, Bujumbura, Burundi. jumandec@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ndereye
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Juma
authors.affiliation: Center for Health Systems Research, National Institute of Public Health, Universidad No. 655 Colonia Santa María Ahuacatitlán, Cerrada Los Pinos y Caminera, C.P. 62100, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico. leticia.avila@insp.mx.
authors.forename: Leticia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Avila-Burgos
mesh_terms: D002063:Burundi; D005260:Female; D005102:Health Expenditures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D006291:Health Policy; D061889:Healthcare Financing; D006801:Humans; D008017:Life Expectancy; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011634:Public Health / Q000191:economics; D017150:Public Sector / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D060728:Reproductive Health / Q000191:economics* / Q000639:trends