RBF for Health News

In 1999, Cambodia’s Ministry of Health first contracted with NGOs to provide health services. The success of this first effort led to more, including the new system for internal contracting that is currently being developed. This schematic illustrates the previous performance-based contracting (PBC) scheme with 5 year contracts to NGOs. It walks through the different steps taken in relation to contracting, verification and payment while highlighting the different actors involved in the process.

Dr. Loevinsohn shares his expertise in contracting for health services, his thoughts on the sustainability of RBF, and its effectiveness in countries such as Afghanistan and Cambodia.

This practical look at the nitty-gritty of planning and implementing an RBF program describes a pilot program and impact evaluation in the difficult rural conditions of the DRC. The program and evaluation will provide rigorous evidence of the effects of a PBF strategy that will inform the country's national dialogue on health service delivery and financing.

This feature article describes how voucher programs for safe motherhood services and management of STIs in Uganda and Kenya are helping improve health outcomes for the poor. Voucher programs take time and investment to design and administer, but the evidence suggests they can increase access to essential services and enable facilities to be more responsive to patients. This article highlights issues of managing claims, accrediting facilities, fraud and sustainable financing.