Assessing the impact of health financing mechanism in Zambia
Document type: mthesis
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Abstract:
An adequately and well-managed financing mechanism of the public health care system has continued to elude many low income countries. Zambia is one of those countries whose health system has continued to struggle with inadequate and inequitably distributed resources. To date, Zambia has recorded slow progress in improving health outcomes, and meeting health targets has raised concerns about the country’s capacity to sustainably finance its health care system, given the limited capacity for growth and inability to mobilize adequate domestic revenue. This has complicated government’s ability to effectively respond to the health challenges the country is facing. Even with substantial external assistance, large gaps have remained between what resources are available and what are needed. Zambia’s health challenges are further worsened by weak institutional capacity as well as low and ineffective spending that has undermined the effectiveness of the health care systems. The poor and vulnerable groups, who need health care the most, are the most affected by these shortcomings, especially the high reliance on user charges and other out of pocket expenditures on health, which are both impoverishing and provide a financial barrier to accessing needed care. Both published and unpublished literature was reviewed on health financing in Zambia and other low income countries. There was no limitation on the date for the data reviewed, however much of the literature covered the period from 1995-2010. The findings of this study are that the various financing mechanisms in Zambia are not adequate and in most cases have priced the majority of the population out of accessing health care, especially the poor who need health care the most. Even with substantial external assistance, health outcomes do not appear to improve. This is worsened by the government’s inability to generate adequate domestic resources and reliance on out of pocket payments which are regressive and are not sustainable.
Authors:
Chibuye, J.
Country:
Zambia
Category:
Research
Department:
Development Policy & Practice
Institute:
KIT (Royal Tropical Institute)
Keywords:
finance
,
health services
Language:
eng
Organization:
KIT - Royal Tropical Institute
PAGE:
vi, 47
Year:
2010
Region:
East Africa
Right:
© 2010 Chibuye
Subject:
Health and Nutrition
Title:
Assessing the impact of health financing mechanism in Zambia
Training:
Master in International Health (MIH)