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Tegbe M, Moon K, Nawaz S. Re-envisioning contributory health schemes to achieve equity in the design of financial protection mechanisms in low- and middle-income countries. HEALTH AFFAIRS SCHOLAR 2024; 2:qxae044. [PMID: 38756182 PMCID: PMC11057020 DOI: 10.1093/haschl/qxae044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Universal health coverage has emerged as a global health priority, requiring that financing strategies that ensure low-income and medically and financially at-risk individuals can access health services without the threat of financial catastrophe. Contributory financing schemes and social health insurance (SHI) schemes, in particular, predominate in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), despite evidence that suggests the most vulnerable remain excluded from such schemes. In this commentary, we discuss the need to re-envision schemes to prioritize equity, offering 3 concrete recommendations: adopt participatory designs for the co-design of schemes with beneficiaries, establish linkages between contributory financial protection schemes with economic empowerment initiatives, and prioritize the needs and preferences of beneficiaries over political expediency. Co-design alone does not necessarily translate into more equitable schemes, underscoring the need for greater monitoring and evaluation of these schemes that consider differential impacts across contexts and subgroups. In doing so, SHI schemes can be both attractive and accessible to populations that have long been excluded from financial protections in LMICs, acting as 1 channel in a broader financing strategy to achieve universal health coverage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muyiwa Tegbe
- Primary Health Care Program, PATH, Seattle, WA 98121, United States
| | - Kyle Moon
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States
| | - Saira Nawaz
- Primary Health Care Program, PATH, Seattle, WA 98121, United States
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Odipo E, Jarhyan P, Nzinga J, Prabhakaran D, Aryal A, Clarke-Deelder E, Mohan S, Mosa M, Eshetu MK, Lewis TP, Kapoor NR, Kruk ME, Fink G, Okiro EA. The path to universal health coverage in five African and Asian countries: examining the association between insurance status and health-care use. Lancet Glob Health 2024; 12:e123-e133. [PMID: 38096884 PMCID: PMC10716621 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(23)00510-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Despite major efforts to achieve universal health coverage (UHC), progress has lagged in many African and Asian countries. A key strategy pursued by many countries is the use of health insurance to increase access and affordability. However, evidence on insurance coverage and on the association between insurance and UHC is mixed. We analysed nationally representative cross-sectional data collected between 2022 and 2023 in Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa, India, and Laos. We described public and private insurance coverage by sociodemographic factors and used logistic regression to examine the associations between insurance status and seven health-care use outcomes. Health insurance coverage ranged from 25% in India to 100% in Laos. The share of private insurance ranged from 1% in Ethiopia to 13% in South Africa. Relative to the population with private insurance, the uninsured population had reduced odds of health-care use (adjusted odds ratio 0·68, 95% CI 0·50-0·94), cardiovascular examinations (0·63, 0·47-0·85), eye and dental examinations (0·54, 0·42-0·70), and ability to get or afford care (0·64, 0·48-0·86); private insurance was not associated with unmet need, mental health care, and cancer screening. Relative to private insurance, public insurance was associated with reduced odds of health-care use (0·60, 0·43-0·82), mental health care (0·50, 0·31-0·80), cardiovascular examinations (0·62, 0·46-0·84), and eye and dental examinations (0·50, 0·38-0·65). Results were highly heterogeneous across countries. Public health insurance appears to be only weakly associated with access to health services in the countries studied. Further research is needed to improve understanding of these associations and to identify the most effective financing strategies to achieve UHC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Odipo
- Population and Health Impact Surveillance Group, Kenya Medical Research Institute-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Jacinta Nzinga
- Health Economics Research Unit, Kenya Medical Research Institute-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Amit Aryal
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Emma Clarke-Deelder
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | - Todd P Lewis
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T H Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Neena R Kapoor
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T H Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Margaret E Kruk
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T H Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Günther Fink
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Emelda A Okiro
- Population and Health Impact Surveillance Group, Kenya Medical Research Institute-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Nairobi, Kenya; Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Are C, Murthy SS, Sullivan R, Schissel M, Chowdhury S, Alatise O, Anaya D, Are M, Balch C, Bartlett D, Brennan M, Cairncross L, Clark M, Deo SVS, Dudeja V, D'Ugo D, Fadhil I, Giuliano A, Gopal S, Gutnik L, Ilbawi A, Jani P, Kingham TP, Lorenzon L, Leiphrakpam P, Leon A, Martinez-Said H, McMasters K, Meltzer DO, Mutebi M, Zafar SN, Naik V, Newman L, Oliveira AF, Park DJ, Pramesh CS, Rao S, Subramanyeshwar Rao T, Bargallo-Rocha E, Romanoff A, Rositch AF, Rubio IT, Salvador de Castro Ribeiro H, Sbaity E, Senthil M, Smith L, Toi M, Turaga K, Yanala U, Yip CH, Zaghloul A, Anderson BO. Global Cancer Surgery: pragmatic solutions to improve cancer surgery outcomes worldwide. Lancet Oncol 2023; 24:e472-e518. [PMID: 37924819 DOI: 10.1016/s1470-2045(23)00412-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023]
Abstract
The first Lancet Oncology Commission on Global Cancer Surgery was published in 2015 and serves as a landmark paper in the field of cancer surgery. The Commission highlighted the burden of cancer and the importance of cancer surgery, while documenting the many inadequacies in the ability to deliver safe, timely, and affordable cancer surgical care. This Commission builds on the first Commission by focusing on solutions and actions to improve access to cancer surgery globally, developed by drawing upon the expertise from cancer surgery leaders across the world. We present solution frameworks in nine domains that can improve access to cancer surgery. These nine domains were refined to identify solutions specific to the six WHO regions. On the basis of these solutions, we developed eight actions to propel essential improvements in the global capacity for cancer surgery. Our initiatives are broad in scope, pragmatic, affordable, and contextually applicable, and aimed at cancer surgeons as well as leaders, administrators, elected officials, and health policy advocates. We envision that the solutions and actions contained within the Commission will address inequities and promote safe, timely, and affordable cancer surgery for every patient, regardless of their socioeconomic status or geographic location.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandrakanth Are
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
| | - Shilpa S Murthy
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Richard Sullivan
- Institute of Cancer Policy, School of Cancer Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Makayla Schissel
- Department of Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Sanjib Chowdhury
- Department of Surgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Olesegun Alatise
- Department of Surgery, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
| | - Daniel Anaya
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Madhuri Are
- Division of Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Charles Balch
- Department of Surgical Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, Global Cancer Surgery: pragmatic solutions to improve USA
| | - David Bartlett
- Department of Surgery, Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Murray Brennan
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lydia Cairncross
- Department of Surgery, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Matthew Clark
- University of Auckland School of Medicine, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - S V S Deo
- Department of Surgical Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Vikas Dudeja
- Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Domenico D'Ugo
- Department of Surgery, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Armando Giuliano
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Satish Gopal
- Center for Global Health, National Cancer Institute, Washington DC, USA
| | - Lily Gutnik
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Andre Ilbawi
- Department of Noncommunicable Diseases, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Pankaj Jani
- Department of Surgery, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Laura Lorenzon
- Department of Surgery, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
| | - Premila Leiphrakpam
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Augusto Leon
- Department of Surgical Oncology, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Kelly McMasters
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Hiram C Polk, Jr MD Department of Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - David O Meltzer
- Section of Hospital Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Miriam Mutebi
- Department of Surgery, Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Syed Nabeel Zafar
- Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Vibhavari Naik
- Department of Anesthesiology, Basavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital and Research Institute, Hyderabad, India
| | - Lisa Newman
- Department of Surgery, New York-Presbyterian, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Do Joong Park
- Department of Surgery and Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - C S Pramesh
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgical Oncology, Tata Memorial Centre, Tata Memorial Hospital, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, India
| | - Saieesh Rao
- Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - T Subramanyeshwar Rao
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Basavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital and Research Institute, Hyderabad, India
| | | | - Anya Romanoff
- Department of Global Health and Health System Design, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Anne F Rositch
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Isabel T Rubio
- Breast Surgical Oncology, Clinica Universidad de Navarra, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Eman Sbaity
- Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Maheswari Senthil
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Lynette Smith
- Department of Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Masakazi Toi
- Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Disease Center, Komagome Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kiran Turaga
- Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Ujwal Yanala
- Surgical Oncology, University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Cheng-Har Yip
- Department of Surgery, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Kairu A, Orangi S, Mbuthia B, Arwah B, Guleid F, Keru J, Vilcu I, Musuva A, Ravishankar N, Barasa E. The impact of COVID-19 on health financing in Kenya. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 3:e0001852. [PMID: 37889878 PMCID: PMC10610457 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
Sudden shocks to health systems, such as the COVID-19 pandemic may disrupt health system functions. Health system functions may also influence the health system's ability to deliver in the face of sudden shocks such as the COVID-19 pandemic. We examined the impact of COVID-19 on the health financing function in Kenya, and how specific health financing arrangements influenced the health systems capacity to deliver services during the COVID-19 pandemic.We conducted a cross-sectional study in three purposively selected counties in Kenya using a qualitative approach. We collected data using in-depth interviews (n = 56) and relevant document reviews. We interviewed national level health financing stakeholders, county department of health managers, health facility managers and COVID-19 healthcare workers. We analysed data using a framework approach. Purchasing arrangements: COVID-19 services were partially subsidized by the national government, exposing individuals to out-of-pocket costs given the high costs of these services. The National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) adapted its enhanced scheme's benefit package targeting formal sector groups to include COVID-19 services but did not make any adaptations to its general scheme targeting the less well-off in society. This had potential equity implications. Public Finance Management (PFM) systems: Nationally, PFM processes were adaptable and partly flexible allowing shorter timelines for budget and procurement processes. At county level, PFM systems were partially flexible with some resource reallocation but maintained centralized purchasing arrangements. The flow of funds to counties and health facilities was delayed and the procurement processes were lengthy. Reproductive and child health services: Domestic and donor funds were reallocated towards the pandemic response resulting in postponement of program activities and affected family planning service delivery. Universal Health Coverage (UHC) plans: Prioritization of UHC related activities was negatively impacted due the shift of focus to the pandemic response. Contrarily the strategic investments in the health sector were found to be a beneficial approach in strengthening the health system. Strengthening health systems to improve their resilience to cope with public health emergencies requires substantial investment of financial and non-financial resources. Health financing arrangements are integral in determining the extent of adaptability, flexibility, and responsiveness of health system to COVID-19 and future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Kairu
- Health Economics Research Unit (HERU), KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Program, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Stacey Orangi
- Health Economics Research Unit (HERU), KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Program, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Brian Arwah
- Health Economics Research Unit (HERU), KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Program, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Fatuma Guleid
- Health Economics Research Unit (HERU), KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Program, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | | | | | | | - Edwine Barasa
- Health Economics Research Unit (HERU), KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Program, Nairobi, Kenya
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Arhin K, Oteng-Abayie EF, Novignon J. Effects of healthcare financing policy tools on health system efficiency: Evidence from sub-Saharan Africa. Heliyon 2023; 9:e20573. [PMID: 37860558 PMCID: PMC10582374 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e20573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Evidence shows high levels of catastrophic and impoverishing healthcare expenditure among households in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The way healthcare is financed has an impact on how well a health system performs its functions and achieves its objectives. This study aims to examine the effect of healthcare financing policy tools on health system efficiency. Method The study classifies 46 sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries into four groups of health systems sharing similar healthcare financing strategies. A two-stage and one-stage stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) and Tobit regression techniques were employed to assess the impact of healthcare financing policy variables on health system efficiency. Data from the selected 46 SSA countries from 2000 to 2019 was investigated. Results The results revealed that prepayment healthcare financing arrangements, social health insurance, mixed- and external-financing healthcare systems significantly enhance health system efficiency. Reliance on a single source for financing healthcare, particularly private out-of-pocket payment reduces health system efficiency. Conclusion For policy-making purposes, health care systems financed through a mix of financing arrangements comprising social health insurance, private, and public funding improve health system efficiency in delivering better health outcomes as opposed to depending on one major source of financing, particularly, private out-of-pocket payments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwadwo Arhin
- Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration, Department of Economics, Accra, Ghana
| | - Eric Fosu Oteng-Abayie
- Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Department of Economics, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Jacob Novignon
- Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Department of Economics, Kumasi, Ghana
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Mugo MG. The impact of health insurance enrollment on health outcomes in Kenya. HEALTH ECONOMICS REVIEW 2023; 13:42. [PMID: 37584819 PMCID: PMC10428604 DOI: 10.1186/s13561-023-00454-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The achievement of the global agenda on universal health coverage (UHC) is pivotal in ensuring healthy lives and promoting the well-being of all. However, achieving healthy lives and wellbeing of all has been hampered by the challenge of health care financing. As such, healthcare financing, through health insurance is gaining popularity in developing countries such as Kenya, in their pursuit to achieve universal health coverage. The primary purpose of health insurance and delivery is to improve health. However, there is a paucity of evidence on the effectiveness of health insurance in improving the health outcomes and health status of the Kenyan population. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the impact of health insurance on health outcomes in Kenya. METHODS The study utilized the most recent nationally representative Kenya Integrated Household Budget Survey (KIHBS) 2015/16 dataset in order to analyze the impact of health insurance on health outcomes. The instrumental variable 2-stage least squares (IV 2SLS) and control function approach (CFA) estimation techniques were used to cater for potential endogeneity and heterogeneity biases present in ordinary least squares (OLS) estimators. RESULTS Health insurance enrolment leads to a reduction in mortality, thereby improving the health status of the Kenyan population, despite low levels of insurance uptake. However, the insured population experienced higher chronic illnesses and out-of-pocket (OOP) expenditures raising concerns about financial risk protection. The fact that health insurance is linked to chronic illnesses not only reinforces the reverse causality of health insurance and health status, but also that the effects of potential adverse selection strongly drive the strength and direction of this impact. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that health insurance enrolment reduces mortality and hence has a beneficial impact in promoting health. Health insurance coverage therefore, should be promoted through the restructuring of the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) fragmented schemes and by consolidating the different insurance schemes to serve different population groups more effectively and equitably. The government should revisit the implementation of a universal social health insurance scheme, as a necessary step towards UHC, while continuing to offer subsidies in the form of health insurance to the marginalized, vulnerable and poor populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mercy G Mugo
- Department of Economics & Development Studies, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 30197, 00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
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Njie H, Ilboudo PGC, Gopinathan U, Chola L, Wangen KR. Preferences of healthcare workers for provider payment systems in The Gambia's National Health Insurance Scheme. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:853. [PMID: 37568233 PMCID: PMC10422797 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-09885-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Government of The Gambia introduced a national health insurance scheme (NHIS) in 2021 to promote universal health coverage (UHC). Provider payment systems (PPS) are strategic purchasing arrangements that can enhance provider performance, accountability, and efficiency in the NHIS. This study assessed healthcare workers' (HCWs') preferences for PPS across major service areas in the NHIS. METHODS A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted using a probability proportionate to size sampling technique to select an appropriate sample size. Health care workers were presented with options for PPS to choose from across major service areas. Descriptive statistics explored HCW socio-demographic and health service characteristics. Multinomial logistic regressions were used to assess the association between these characteristics and choices of PPS. RESULTS The majority of HCW did not have insurance coverage, but more than 60% of them were willing to join and pay for the NHIS. Gender, professional cadre, facility level, and region influenced HCW's preference for PPS across the major service areas. The preferred PPS varied among HCW depending on the service area, with capitation being the least preferred PPS across all service areas. CONCLUSION The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) needs to consider HCW's preference for PPS and factors that influence their preferences when choosing various payment systems. Strategic purchasing decisions should consider the incentives these payment systems may create to align incentives to guide provider behaviour towards UHC. The findings of this study can inform policy and decision-makers on the right mix of PPS to spur provider performance and value for money in The Gambia's NHIS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hassan Njie
- Department of Community Medicine and Global Health, University of Oslo, Postboks 1130, Blindern, Oslo, 0318, Norway.
| | | | - Unni Gopinathan
- Cluster for Global Health, Division for Health Services, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Lumbwe Chola
- Department of Health Management and Health Economics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Knut Reidar Wangen
- Department of Health Management and Health Economics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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Obengo T. Medical debt during epidemics: A case for resolving the situation in low- and middle-income countries such as Kenya. Wellcome Open Res 2023; 7:245. [PMID: 37915721 PMCID: PMC10616656 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.18403.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
This paper evaluates the problem of medical debt in Kenya during the COVID-19 pandemic. The medical debt problem is compounded during pandemics such as COVID-19 when patients seek treatment and end up in insurmountable debt because illnesses related to the pandemic are not covered by the Kenyan National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), the public health coverage body under government control. As a result, discharged patients may be detained in hospitals and dead bodies are locked away in mortuaries, until relatives and friends fundraise and clear the bills. Apart from causing vulnerability, fear, and emotional stress among the poor, this practice leads to a growing lack of trust in the healthcare system, with patients deliberately avoiding hospitals whenever they suspect they have COVID-19. The resulting vicious cycle makes healthcare more inaccessible by limiting the choices that people may have. User fees, which were introduced in all public health facilities by the Kenyan government as part of a World Bank prescription for cost-sharing, normally affect more women than men. Although Kenya has implemented a general waiver system in public hospitals for those who cannot pay their medical bills, the process of obtaining this waiver can be burdensome, demeaning, and dangerous for the health of the patients. This undermines the government's commitment to the provision of equitable and affordable health care for the citizens. In this article, the problem of medical debt in Kenya is addressed as a multi-faceted problem drawing on issues of justice and fairness, human dignity, good governance, the interplay between global and local policies, as well as politics and law. It argues that it is in the best interest of Kenya and other African countries to ensure that public health coverage covers pandemics so that the majority poor can afford and access healthcare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Obengo
- Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Ethox Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Oyando R, Were V, Willis R, Koros H, Kamano JH, Naanyu V, Etyang A, Mugo R, Murphy A, Nolte E, Perel P, Barasa E. Examining the responsiveness of the National Health Insurance Fund to people living with hypertension and diabetes in Kenya: a qualitative study. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e069330. [PMID: 37407061 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-069330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess the responsiveness of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) Supa Cover benefit package to the needs of individuals with diabetes and hypertension in Kenya. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS We carried out a qualitative study and collected data using key informant interviews (n=39) and focus group discussions (n=4) in two purposively selected counties in Western Kenya. Study participants were drawn from NHIF officials, county government officials, health facility managers, healthcare workers and individuals with hypertension and diabetes who were enrolled in NHIF. We analysed data using a thematic approach. RESULTS Study participants reported that the NHIF Supa Cover benefit package expanded access to services for people living with hypertension and diabetes. However, the NHIF members and healthcare workers had inadequate awareness of the NHIF service entitlements. The NHIF benefit package inadequately covered the range of services needed by people living with hypertension and diabetes and the benefits package did not prioritise preventive and promotive services. Sometimes patients were discriminated against by healthcare providers who preferred cash-paying patients, and some NHIF-empanelled health facilities had inadequate structural inputs essential for quality of care. Study participants felt that the NHIF premium for the general scheme was unaffordable, and NHIF members faced additional out-of-pocket costs because of additional payments for services not available or covered. CONCLUSION Whereas NHIF has reduced financial barriers for hypertension and diabetes patients, to enhance its responsiveness to patient needs, NHIF should implement mechanisms to increase benefit package awareness among members and providers. In addition, preventive and promotive services should be included in NHIF's benefits package and mechanisms to monitor and hold contracted providers accountable should be strengthened.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robinson Oyando
- Health Economics Research Unit (HERU), KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Vincent Were
- Health Economics Research Unit (HERU), KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Ruth Willis
- Department of Health Service Research and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London, UK
| | - Hillary Koros
- Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Jemima H Kamano
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Violet Naanyu
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya
- School of Arts and Social Sciences, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Anthony Etyang
- Department of Epidemiology and Demography, KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Richard Mugo
- Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Adrianna Murphy
- Department of Health Service Research and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London, UK
| | - Ellen Nolte
- Department of Health Service Research and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London, UK
| | - Pablo Perel
- Department of Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Edwine Barasa
- Health Economics Research Unit (HERU), KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Nairobi, Kenya
- Center for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, 01540, UK
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Spencer SA, Adipa FE, Baker T, Crawford AM, Dark P, Dula D, Gordon SB, Hamilton DO, Huluka DK, Khalid K, Lakoh S, Limbani F, Rylance J, Sawe HR, Simiyu I, Waweru-Siika W, Worrall E, Morton B. A health systems approach to critical care delivery in low-resource settings: a narrative review. Intensive Care Med 2023; 49:772-784. [PMID: 37428213 PMCID: PMC10354139 DOI: 10.1007/s00134-023-07136-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
There is a high burden of critical illness in low-income countries (LICs), adding pressure to already strained health systems. Over the next decade, the need for critical care is expected to grow due to ageing populations with increasing medical complexity; limited access to primary care; climate change; natural disasters; and conflict. In 2019, the 72nd World Health Assembly emphasised that an essential part of universal health coverage is improved access to effective emergency and critical care and to "ensure the timely and effective delivery of life-saving health care services to those in need". In this narrative review, we examine critical care capacity building in LICs from a health systems perspective. We conducted a systematic literature search, using the World Heath Organisation (WHO) health systems framework to structure findings within six core components or "building blocks": (1) service delivery; (2) health workforce; (3) health information systems; (4) access to essential medicines and equipment; (5) financing; and (6) leadership and governance. We provide recommendations using this framework, derived from the literature identified in our review. These recommendations are useful for policy makers, health service researchers and healthcare workers to inform critical care capacity building in low-resource settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen A Spencer
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
- Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | | | - Tim Baker
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
- Queen Marys University of London, London, UK
- Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Paul Dark
- Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Dingase Dula
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
- Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Stephen B Gordon
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
- Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - David Oliver Hamilton
- Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | | | - Karima Khalid
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Sulaiman Lakoh
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Felix Limbani
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Jamie Rylance
- Health Care Readiness Unit, World Health Organisation, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Hendry R Sawe
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Ibrahim Simiyu
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | | | - Eve Worrall
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Ben Morton
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK.
- Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK.
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Oyando R, Were V, Koros H, Mugo R, Kamano J, Etyang A, Murphy A, Hanson K, Perel P, Barasa E. Evaluating the effectiveness of the National Health Insurance Fund in providing financial protection to households with hypertension and diabetes patients in Kenya. Int J Equity Health 2023; 22:107. [PMID: 37264458 PMCID: PMC10234077 DOI: 10.1186/s12939-023-01923-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) can impose a substantial financial burden to households in the absence of an effective financial risk protection mechanism. The national health insurance fund (NHIF) has included NCD services in its national scheme. We evaluated the effectiveness of NHIF in providing financial risk protection to households with persons living with hypertension and/or diabetes in Kenya. METHODS We carried out a prospective cohort study, following 888 households with at least one individual living with hypertension and/or diabetes for 12 months. The exposure arm comprised households that are enrolled in the NHIF national scheme, while the control arm comprised households that were not enrolled in the NHIF. Study participants were drawn from two counties in Kenya. We used the incidence of catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) as the outcome of interest. We used coarsened exact matching and a conditional logistic regression model to analyse the odds of CHE among households enrolled in the NHIF compared with unenrolled households. Socioeconomic inequality in CHE was examined using concentration curves and indices. RESULTS We found strong evidence that NHIF-enrolled households spent a lower share (12.4%) of their household budget on healthcare compared with unenrolled households (23.2%) (p = 0.004). While households that were enrolled in NHIF were less likely to incur CHE, we did not find strong evidence that they are better protected from CHE compared with households without NHIF (OR = 0.67; p = 0.47). The concentration index (CI) for CHE showed a pro-poor distribution (CI: -0.190, p < 0.001). Almost half (46.9%) of households reported active NHIF enrolment at baseline but this reduced to 10.9% after one year, indicating an NHIF attrition rate of 76.7%. The depth of NHIF cover (i.e., the share of out-of-pocket healthcare costs paid by NHIF) among households with active NHIF was 29.6%. CONCLUSION We did not find strong evidence that the NHIF national scheme is effective in providing financial risk protection to households with individuals living with hypertension and/diabetes in Kenya. This could partly be explained by the low depth of cover of the NHIF national scheme, and the high attrition rate. To enhance NHIF effectiveness, there is a need to revise the NHIF benefit package to include essential hypertension and/diabetes services, review existing provider payment mechanisms to explicitly reimburse these services, and extend the existing insurance subsidy programme to include individuals in the informal labour market.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robinson Oyando
- Health Economics Research Unit, KEMRI Wellcome Trust Research Programme, P.O.BOX 43640-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
| | - Vincent Were
- Health Economics Research Unit, KEMRI Wellcome Trust Research Programme, P.O.BOX 43640-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Hillary Koros
- Health Economics Research Unit, KEMRI Wellcome Trust Research Programme, P.O.BOX 43640-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Jemima Kamano
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Anthony Etyang
- Department of Epidemiology and Demography, KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Program, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Adrianna Murphy
- Department of Health Services Research and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Kara Hanson
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Pablo Perel
- Department of Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Edwine Barasa
- Health Economics Research Unit, KEMRI Wellcome Trust Research Programme, P.O.BOX 43640-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
- Center for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Oxford University, Oxford, 01540, UK
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12
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Yazbeck AS, Soucat AL, Tandon A, Cashin C, Kutzin J, Watson J, Thomson S, Nguyen SN, Evetovits T. Addiction to a bad idea, especially in low- and middle-income countries: Contributory health insurance. Soc Sci Med 2023; 320:115168. [PMID: 36822716 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.115168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
Despite limited evidence of successful development and implementation of contributory health insurance and low and middle income countries, many countries are in the process implementing such schemes. This commentary summarizes all available evidence on the limitations of contributory health insurance including the lack of good theoretical underpinning and the considerable evidence of inequity and fragmentation created by such schemes. Moreover, the initiation of a contributory health insurance scheme has not been found to increase revenues to the health sector or help health countries achieve universal health coverage. Low and middle income countries can improve equity and efficiency of the health sector by replacing out-of-pocket spending with pre-paid pooling mechanisms, but that is best done through budget transfers and not by contributory insurance that links payment to sub-population entitlements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdo S Yazbeck
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
| | | | | | | | - Joseph Kutzin
- Health Financing Policy at the World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Sarah Thomson
- WHO Barcelona Office for Health Systems Strengthening, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Tamas Evetovits
- WHO Barcelona Office for Health Systems Strengthening, Barcelona, Spain
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13
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Maritim B, Koon AD, Kimaina A, Lagat C, Riungu E, Laktabai J, Ruhl LJ, Kibiwot M, Scanlon ML, Goudge J. "It is like an umbrella covering you, yet it does not protect you from the rain": a mixed methods study of insurance affordability, coverage, and financial protection in rural western Kenya. Int J Equity Health 2023; 22:27. [PMID: 36747182 PMCID: PMC9901092 DOI: 10.1186/s12939-023-01837-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa are increasingly adopting mandatory social health insurance programs. In Kenya, mandatory social health insurance is being implemented through the national health insurer, the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), but the level of coverage, affordability and financial risk protection provided by health insurance, especially for rural informal households, is unclear. This study provides as assessment of affordability of NHIF premiums, the need for financial risk protection, and the extent of financial protection provided by NHIF among rural informal workers in western Kenya.Methods We conducted a mixed methods study with a cross-sectional household survey (n = 1773), in-depth household interviews (n = 36), and 6 focus group discussions (FGDs) with community stakeholders in rural western Kenya. Health insurance status was self-reported and households were categorized into insured and uninsured. Using survey data, we calculated the affordability of health insurance (unaffordability was defined as the monthly premium being > 5% of total household expenditures), out of pocket expenditures (OOP) on healthcare and its impact on impoverishment, and incidence of catastrophic health expenditures (CHE). Logistic regression was used to assess household characteristics associated with CHE.Results Only 12% of households reported having health insurance and was unaffordable for the majority of households, both insured (60%) and uninsured (80%). Rural households spent an average of 12% of their household budget on OOP, with both insured and uninsured households reporting high OOP spending and similar levels of impoverishment due to OOP. Overall, 12% of households experienced CHE, with uninsured households more likely to experience CHE. Participants expressed concerns about value of health insurance given its cost, availability and quality of services, and financial protection relative to other social and economic household needs. Households resulted to borrowing, fundraising, taking short term loans and selling family assets to meet healthcare costs.Conclusion Health insurance coverage was low among rural informal sector households in western Kenya, with health insurance premiums being unaffordable to most households. Even among insured households, we found high levels of OOP and CHE. Our results suggest that significant reforms of NHIF and health system are required to provide adequate health services and financial risk protection for rural informal households in Kenya.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beryl Maritim
- Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA), Nairobi, Kenya.
- Centre for Health Policy, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
- Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH), Eldoret, Kenya.
| | - Adam D Koon
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
| | - Allan Kimaina
- Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH), Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Cornelius Lagat
- Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH), Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Elvira Riungu
- Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH), Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Jeremiah Laktabai
- Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH), Eldoret, Kenya
- School of Medicine, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Laura J Ruhl
- Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH), Eldoret, Kenya
- School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, USA
| | - Michael Kibiwot
- Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH), Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Michael L Scanlon
- Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH), Eldoret, Kenya
- School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, USA
| | - Jane Goudge
- Centre for Health Policy, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Muinde JVS, Prince RJ. A new universalism? Universal health coverage and debates about rights, solidarity and inequality in Kenya. Soc Sci Med 2023; 319:115258. [PMID: 36307339 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.115258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
The rise of universal health coverage (UHC) as a global policy endorsed in the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) appears to signal new directions in global health as it introduces a progressive language of inclusion, solidarity and social justice and advocates the right of 'everyone' to access the healthcare they need 'without financial hardship'. Since 2018 the Kenyan government has attempted to widen access to healthcare by experimenting with free health care services and expanding health insurance coverage. Such progressive moves are, however, layered onto histories of healthcare, citizenship and state responsibility that in Kenya have been dominated by forms of exclusion, differentiation, a politics of patronage, and class inequality, all of which work against universal access. In this paper, we follow recent attempts to increase access to healthcare, paying particular attention to how a language of rights and inclusion circulated among "ordinary citizens" as well as among the health workers and government officials tasked with implementing reforms. Despite being clothed in a language of universalism, solidarity and inclusion, Kenya's UHC reforms feed into an already fragmented and struggling healthcare system, reinforcing differentiated, limited and uneven access to healthcare services and reproducing inequity and exclusions. In this context, reforms for universal health coverage that promise a form of substantial citizenship are in tension with Kenyans' experiences of accessing healthcare. We explore how, amid vocal concerns about healthcare costs and state neglect, the promises and expectations surrounding universal health coverage reforms shaped the claims people made to accessing care. While our informants were cynical about these promises, they were also hopeful. The language of universality and inclusion drew people's attention to entrenched forms of inequality and difference, the limits of solidarity and the gaps between promises and realities, but it also generated expectations and a sense of new possibilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacinta Victoria S Muinde
- University of Oslo, Department of Social Anthropology, Norway; University of Oslo, Institute of Health and Society, Norway.
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15
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Oyugi B, Kendall S, Peckham S, Barasa E. Out-of-pocket payments during childbirth in Kenya under the free maternity services: Perspectives of mothers, healthcare workers and county officials. Wellcome Open Res 2023. [DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.18577.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: This study seeks to determine the extent of women's out-of-pocket (OOP) payments for delivery under the free maternity policy (FMP). Methods: We conducted a convergent parallel mixed-methods study using quantitative and qualitative data collection. The study was set in three facilities (levels 3, 4, and 5) in Kiambu County, Kenya. The study involved exit interview (EI) surveys with mothers (n = 553) who utilised FMP delivery services and focus group discussions (FGDs) with mothers who returned for postnatal visits (6, 10, and 14 weeks). There were 21 in-depth interviews (IDIs) with county officials and healthcare workers (HCWs). Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Despite the FMP being free on paper, mothers incurred OOP payments in practice. The overall mean OOP payments incurred by mothers who underwent normal delivery was 9.50 USD (SD 8.20 USD), and caesarean section (CS) was 10.88 USD (SD 15.16 USD). The main cost drivers were transport, lack of adequate supply and medications, lack of policy clarity by health workers, failure to notify the NHIF office of available clients, and ultrasound scan services. While the OOP payments were not deemed catastrophic, some women perceived it as a barrier to care as they ended up using savings or selling their assets to meet the costs. There were no patient characteristics associated with OOP payments. Conclusions: OOP payments during childbirth in Kenya place a considerable economic burden on mothers and their households. There is need to promote awareness of the policy and provide a sustainable form of transport, especially during emergencies, through collaboration with partners. Prioritising the supply of required medication used in maternal services in the universal health care benefits package to which Kenyan citizens are entitled, or sustainably financing the FMP is crucial.
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Ly MS, Faye A, Ba MF. Impact of community-based health insurance on healthcare utilisation and out-of-pocket expenditures for the poor in Senegal. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e063035. [PMID: 36600430 PMCID: PMC9772627 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-063035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study aims to assess the impact of the subsidised community health insurance scheme in Senegal particularly on the poor. DESIGN AND SETTING The study used data from a household survey conducted in 2019 in three regions, representing 29.3% of the total population. Inverse probability of treatment weighting approach was applied for the analysis. PARTICIPANTS 1766 households with 15 584 individuals selected through a stratified random sampling with two draws. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The impact of community-based health insurance (CBHI) was evaluated on poor people's access to care and on their financial protection. For the measurement of access to care, we were interested in the use of health services and non-withdrawal from care in case of illness. To assess financial protection, we looked at out-of-pocket expenditure by type of provider and by type of service, the weight of out-of-pocket expenditure on household income, non-exposure to impoverishing health expenditure and non-exposure to catastrophic health expenditure. RESULTS The results indicate that the CBHI increases primary healthcare utilisation for non-poor (OR 1.36 (CI90 1.02-1.8) for the general scheme and 1.37 (CI90 1.06-1.77) for the special scheme for indigent recipients of social cash transfers), protect them against catastrophic (OR 1.63 (CI90 1.12-2.39)) or impoverishing (OR 2.4 (CI90 1.27-4.5)) health expenditures. However, CBHI has no impact on the poor's healthcare utilisation (OR 0.61 (CI90 0.4-0.94)) and do not protect them from the burden related to healthcare expenditures (OR: 0.27 (CI90 0.13-0.54)). CONCLUSION Our study found that CBHI has an impact on the non-poor but does not sufficiently protect the poor. This leads us to conclude that a health insurance programme designed for the general population may not be appropriate for the poor. A qualitative study should be conducted to better understand the non-financial barriers to accessing care that may disproportionately affect the poorest.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Adama Faye
- Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar, Dakar, Senegal
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17
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Maritim B, Koon AD, Kimaina A, Goudge J. Acceptability of prepayment, social solidarity and cross-subsidies in national health insurance: A mixed methods study in Western Kenya. Front Public Health 2022; 10:957528. [PMID: 36311602 PMCID: PMC9614422 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.957528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Many low- and middle-income countries are attempting to finance healthcare through voluntary membership of insurance schemes. This study examined willingness to prepay for health care, social solidarity as well as the acceptability of subsidies for the poor as factors that determine enrolment in western Kenya. Methods This study employed a sequential mixed method design. We conducted a cross-sectional household survey (n = 1,746), in-depth household interviews (n = 36), 6 FGDs with community stakeholders and key informant interviews (n = 11) with policy makers and implementers in a single county in western Kenya. Social solidarity was defined by willingness to make contributions that would benefit people who were sicker ("risk cross-subsidization") and poorer ("income cross-subsidization"). We also explored participants' preferences related to contribution cost structure - e.g., flat, proportional, progressive, and exemptions for the poor. Results Our study found high willingness to prepay for healthcare among those without insurance (87.1%) with competing priorities, low incomes, poor access, and quality of health services, lack of awareness of flexible payment options cited as barriers to enrolment. More than half of respondents expressed willingness to tolerate risk and income cross-subsidization suggesting strong social solidarity, which increased with socio-economic status (SES). Higher SES was also associated with preference for a proportional payment while lower SES with a progressive payment. Few participants, even the poor themselves, felt the poor should be exempt from any payment, due to stigma (being accused of laziness) and fear of losing power in the process of receiving care (having the right to demand care). Conclusion Although there was a high willingness to prepay for healthcare, numerous barriers hindered voluntary health insurance enrolment in Kenya. Our findings highlight the importance of fostering and leveraging existing social solidarity to move away from flat rate contributions to allow for fairer risk and income cross-subsidization. Finally, governments should invest in robust strategies to effectively identify subsidy beneficiaries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beryl Maritim
- Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA), Nairobi, Kenya
- Centre for Health Policy, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH), Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Adam D. Koon
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Allan Kimaina
- Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH), Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Jane Goudge
- Centre for Health Policy, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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18
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Obengo T. Medical debt during epidemics: A case for resolving the situation in low- and middle-income countries such as Kenya. Wellcome Open Res 2022. [DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.18403.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper evaluates the problem of medical debt in Kenya during the COVID-19 pandemic. The medical debt problem is compounded during pandemics such as COVID-19 when patients seek treatment and end up in insurmountable debt because illnesses related to the pandemic are not covered by the Kenyan National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), the public health coverage body under government control. As a result, discharged patients may be detained in hospitals and dead bodies are locked away in mortuaries, until relatives and friends fundraise and clear the bills. Apart from causing vulnerability, fear, and emotional stress among the poor, this practice leads to a growing lack of trust in the healthcare system, with patients deliberately avoiding hospitals whenever they suspect they have COVID-19. The resulting vicious cycle makes healthcare more inaccessible by limiting the choices that people may have. User fees, which were introduced in all public health facilities by the Kenyan government as part of a World Bank prescription for cost-sharing, normally affect more women than men. Although Kenya has implemented a general waiver system in public hospitals for those who cannot pay their medical bills, the process of obtaining this waiver can be burdensome, demeaning, and dangerous for the health of the patients. This undermines the government’s commitment to the provision of equitable and affordable health care for the citizens. In this article, the problem of medical debt in Kenya is addressed as a multi-faceted problem drawing on issues of justice and fairness, human dignity, good governance, the interplay between global and local policies, as well as politics and law. It argues that it is in the best interest of Kenya and other African countries to ensure that public health coverage covers pandemics so that the majority poor can afford and access healthcare.
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19
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Parker RK, Otoki K, Many HR, Parker AS, Shrime MG. The costs of complications after emergency gastrointestinal surgery in Kenya. Surgery 2022; 172:1401-1406. [PMID: 36089425 DOI: 10.1016/j.surg.2022.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The financial burden of surgery is substantial worldwide. Postoperative complications increase costs in high-resource settings, but this is not well studied in other settings. Our objective was to review the financial impact of postoperative complications. METHOD Patients undergoing emergency gastrointestinal operations at a center in Kenya were reviewed between January 2017 and June 2019. In a cost analysis, we ascertained the outcome of total hospital costs, adjusted for inflation, and converted to international dollars using purchasing power parities. Costs were analyzed for their association with a postoperative complication, defined using standardized criteria. We calculated the Africa Surgical Outcomes Study surgical risk scores and clustered for discharge diagnosis in a mixed-effects generalized linear model accounting for confounding factors related to costs and complications. RESULTS A total of 361 individuals had cost data available. The cohort had 251 men (69.5%) and 110 women (30.5%) with a median age of 41 years (interquartile range: 29-57 years). A total of 122 (33.8%) patients experienced a postoperative complication with an overall all-cause mortality rate of 10.5%. The median total cost of hospitalization was 1,949 (interquartile range: 1,516-2,788) international dollar purchasing power parities. When controlling for patient factors and diagnoses, patients who did not develop complications had costs of 2,119 (95% confidence interval 1,898-2,340) compared to costs of 3,747 (95% confidence interval 3,327-4,167) for patients who developed a postoperative complication, leading to a 77% increase of 1,628 international dollar purchasing power parities for patients with complications. CONCLUSION Our findings demonstrated a substantial financial burden generated by postoperative complications in patients undergoing emergency gastrointestinal operations. Reducing complications could allow cost savings, an important consideration in variable-resource settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert K Parker
- Department of Surgery, Tenwek Hospital, Bomet, Kenya; Department of Surgery, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI.
| | - Kemunto Otoki
- Department of Surgery, Tenwek Hospital, Bomet, Kenya
| | - Heath R Many
- Department of Surgery, Tenwek Hospital, Bomet, Kenya; Department of Surgery, University of Tennessee Medical Center, Knoxville, TN
| | - Andrea S Parker
- Department of Surgery, Tenwek Hospital, Bomet, Kenya; Department of Surgery, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI. https://twitter.com/AP_thesurgeon
| | - Mark G Shrime
- Mercy Ships, Garden Valley, TX; Program in Global Surgery and Social Change, Harvard University, Boston, MA. https://twitter.com/markshrime
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Aregbeshola BS, Khan SM. Barriers to enrollment in National Health Insurance Scheme among informal sector workers in Nigeria. WORLD MEDICAL & HEALTH POLICY 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/wmh3.542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bolaji S. Aregbeshola
- Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, School of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing The University of Newcastle Callaghan New South Wales Australia
| | - Samina M. Khan
- Department of Public Health, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University Islamabad Pakistan
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McMahon DE, Singh R, Chemtai L, Semeere A, Byakwaga H, Grant M, Laker-Oketta M, Lagat C, Collier S, Maurer T, Martin J, Bassett IV, Butler L, Kiprono S, Busakhala N, Freeman EE. Barriers and facilitators to chemotherapy initiation and adherence for patients with HIV-associated Kaposi’s sarcoma in Kenya: a qualitative study. Infect Agent Cancer 2022; 17:37. [PMID: 35794634 PMCID: PMC9258164 DOI: 10.1186/s13027-022-00444-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Kaposi sarcoma is one of the most prevalent HIV-associated malignancies in sub-Saharan Africa and is often diagnosed at advanced stage of disease. Only 50% of KS patients who qualify for chemotherapy receive it and adherence is sub-optimal. Methods 57 patients > 18 years with newly diagnosed KS within the AMPATH clinic network in Western Kenya were purposively selected to participate in semi-structured interviews stratified by whether they had completed, partially completed, or not completed chemotherapy for advanced stage KS. We based the interview guide and coding framework on the situated Information, Motivation, Behavioral Skills (sIMB) framework, in which the core patient centered IMB constructs are situated into the socioecological context of receiving care. Results Of the 57 participants, the median age was 37 (IQR 32–41) and the majority were male (68%). Notable barriers to chemotherapy initiation and adherence included lack of financial means, difficulty with convenience of appointments such as distance to facility, appointment times, long lines, limited appointments, intrapersonal barriers such as fear or hopelessness, and lack of proper or sufficient information about chemotherapy. Factors that facilitated chemotherapy initiation and adherence included health literacy, motivation to treat symptoms, improvement on chemotherapy, prioritization of self-care, resilience while experiencing side effects, ability to carry out behavioral skills, obtaining national health insurance, and free chemotherapy. Conclusion Our findings about the barriers and facilitators to chemotherapy initiation and adherence for KS in Western Kenya support further work that promotes public health campaigns with reliable cancer and chemotherapy information, improves education about the chemotherapy process and side effects, increases oncology service ability, supports enrollment in national health insurance, and increases incorporation of chronic disease care into existing HIV treatment networks.
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Kristensen SL, Barasa A, Thune JJ. The Challenge of Addressing Heart Failure in Low and Middle Income Countries. Eur J Heart Fail 2022; 24:1491-1492. [PMID: 35781911 DOI: 10.1002/ejhf.2598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Anders Barasa
- Department of Cardiology, Glostrup University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jens Jakob Thune
- Department of Cardiology, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Kiragu ZW, Rockers PC, Onyango MA, Mungai J, Mboya J, Laing R, Wirtz VJ. Household access to non-communicable disease medicines during universal health care roll-out in Kenya: A time series analysis. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0266715. [PMID: 35443014 PMCID: PMC9020677 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0266715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives This study aims to describe trends and estimate impact of county-level universal health coverage expansion in Kenya on household availability of non-communicable disease medicines, medicine obtainment at public hospitals and proportion of medicines obtained free of charge. Methods Data from phone surveillance of households in eight Kenyan counties between December 2016 and September 2019 were used. Three primary outcomes related to access were assessed based on patient report: availability of non-communicable disease medicines at the household; non-communicable disease medicine obtainment at a public hospital versus a different outlet; and non-communicable disease medicine obtainment free of cost versus at a non-zero price. Mixed models adjusting for fixed and random effects were used to estimate associations between outcomes of interest and UHC exposure. Results The 197 respondents with universal health coverage were similar on all demographic factors to the 415 respondents with no universal health coverage. Private chemists were the most popular place of purchase throughout the study. Adjusting for demographic factors, county and time fixed effects, there was a significant increase in free medicines (aOR 2.55, 95% CI 1.73, 3.76), significant decrease in medicine obtainment at public hospitals (aOR 0.68, 95% CI 0.47, 0.97), and no impact on the availability of non-communicable disease medicines in households (aβ -0.004, 95% CI -0.058, 0.050) with universal health coverage. Conclusions Access to universal health coverage caused a significant increase in free non-communicable disease medicines, indicating financial risk protection. Interestingly, this is not accompanied with increases in public hospitals purchases or household availability of non-communicable disease medicines, with public health centers playing a greater role in supply of free medicines. This raises the question as to the status of supply-side investments at the public hospitals, to facilitate availability of quality-assured medicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zana Wangari Kiragu
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Peter C. Rockers
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Monica A. Onyango
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - John Mungai
- Innovation for Poverty Action, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - John Mboya
- Innovation for Poverty Action, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Richard Laing
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- School of Public Health, University of Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
| | - Veronika J. Wirtz
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
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Ly MS, Bassoum O, Faye A. Universal health insurance in Africa: a narrative review of the literature on institutional models. BMJ Glob Health 2022; 7:bmjgh-2021-008219. [PMID: 35483710 PMCID: PMC9052052 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-008219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Several African countries have introduced universal health insurance (UHI) programmes. These programmes aim to extend health insurance to groups that are usually excluded, namely informal workers and the indigent. Countries use different approaches. The purpose of this article is to study their institutional characteristics and their contribution to the achievement of universal health coverage (UHC) goals. Method This study is a narrative review. It focused on African countries with a UHI programme for at least 4 years. We identified 16 countries. We then compared how these UHI schemes mobilise, pool and use funds to purchase healthcare. Finally, we synthesised how all these aspects contribute to achieving the main objectives of UHC (access to care and financial protection). Results Ninety-two studies were selected. They found that government-run health insurance was the dominant model in Africa and that it produced better results than community-based health insurance (CBHI). They also showed that private health insurance was marginal. In a context with a large informal sector and a substantial number of people with low contributory capacity, the review also confirmed the limitations of contribution-based financing and the need to strengthen tax-based financing. It also showed that high fragmentation and voluntary enrolment, which are considered irreconcilable with universal insurance, characterise most UHI systems in Africa. Conclusion Public health insurance is more likely to contribute to the achievement of UHC goals than CBHI, as it ensures better management and promotes the pooling of resources on a larger scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mamadou Selly Ly
- Institut Santé et Développement (ISED), Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Oumar Bassoum
- Institut Santé et Développement (ISED), Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Adama Faye
- Institut Santé et Développement (ISED), Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar, Senegal
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Nolte E, Kamano JH, Naanyu V, Etyang A, Gasparrini A, Hanson K, Koros H, Mugo R, Murphy A, Oyando R, Pliakas T, Were V, Willis R, Barasa E, Perel P. Scaling up the primary health integrated care project for chronic conditions in Kenya: study protocol for an implementation research project. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e056261. [PMID: 35296482 PMCID: PMC8928278 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-056261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Amid the rising number of people with non-communicable diseases (NCDs), Kenya has invested in strengthening primary care and in efforts to expand existing service delivery platforms to integrate NCD care. One such approach is the AMPATH (Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare) model in western Kenya, which provides the platform for the Primary Health Integrated Care Project for Chronic Conditions (PIC4C), launched in 2018 to further strengthen primary care services for the prevention and control of hypertension, diabetes, breast and cervical cancer. This study seeks to understand how well PIC4C delivers on its intended aims and to inform and support scale up of the PIC4C model for integrated care for people with NCDs in Kenya. METHODS AND ANALYSIS The study is guided by a conceptual framework on implementing, sustaining and spreading innovation in health service delivery. We use a multimethod design combining qualitative and quantitative approaches, involving: (1) in-depth interviews with health workers and decision-makers to explore experiences of delivering PIC4C; (2) a cross-sectional survey of patients with diabetes or hypertension and in-depth interviews to understand how well PIC4C meets patients' needs; (3) a cohort study with an interrupted time series analysis to evaluate the degree to which PIC4C leads to health benefits such as improved management of hypertension or diabetes; and (4) a cohort study of households to examine the extent to which the national hospital insurance chronic care package provides financial risk protection to people with hypertension or diabetes within PIC4C. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The study has received approvals from Moi University Institutional Research and Ethics Committee (FAN:0003586) and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (17940). Workshops with key stakeholders at local, county, national and international levels will ensure early and wide dissemination of our findings to inform scale up of this model of care. We will also publish findings in peer-reviewed journals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Nolte
- Department of Health Services Research and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Jemima H Kamano
- School of Medicine, Moi University College of Health Sciences, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Violet Naanyu
- School of Arts and Social Sciences, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Anthony Etyang
- Department of Epidemiology and Demography, KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Antonio Gasparrini
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Kara Hanson
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Hillary Koros
- Academic Model Providing Access to HealthCare (AMPATH), Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Richard Mugo
- Academic Model Providing Access to HealthCare (AMPATH), Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Adrianna Murphy
- Department of Health Services Research and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Robinson Oyando
- Health Economics Research Unit, KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Triantafyllos Pliakas
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Vincent Were
- Health Economics Research Unit, KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Ruth Willis
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Edwine Barasa
- Health Economics Research Unit, KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Pablo Perel
- Department of Non-communicable Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Kabia E, Kazungu J, Barasa E. The Effects of Health Purchasing Reforms on Equity, Access, Quality of Care, and Financial Protection in Kenya: A Narrative Review. Health Syst Reform 2022; 8:2114173. [PMID: 36166272 DOI: 10.1080/23288604.2022.2114173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Kenya has implemented several health purchasing reforms to facilitate progress toward universal health coverage. We conducted a narrative review of peer-reviewed and grey literature to examine how these reforms have affected health system outcomes in terms of equity, access, quality of care, and financial protection. We categorized the purchasing reforms we identified into the areas of benefits specification, provider payment, and performance monitoring. We found that the introduction and expansion of benefit packages for maternity, outpatient, and specialized services improved responsiveness to population needs and enhanced protection from financial hardship. However, access to service entitlements was limited by inadequate awareness of the covered services among providers and lack of service availability at contracted facilities. Provider payment reforms increased health facilities' access to funds, which enhanced service delivery, quality of care, and staff motivation. But delays and the perceived inadequacy of payment rates incentivized negative provider behavior, which limited access to care and exposed patients to out-of-pocket payments. We found that performance monitoring reforms improved the quality assurance capacity of the public insurer and enhanced patient safety, service utilization, and quality of care provided by facilities. Although health purchasing reforms have improved access, quality of care, and financial risk protection to some extent in Kenya, they should be aligned and implemented jointly rather than as individual interventions. Measures that policymakers might consider include strengthening communication of health benefits, timely and adequate payment of providers, and enhancing health facility autonomy over the revenues they generate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelyn Kabia
- Health Economics Research Unit, KEMRI Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Jacob Kazungu
- Health Economics Research Unit, KEMRI Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Edwine Barasa
- Health Economics Research Unit, KEMRI Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Nairobi, Kenya.,Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Toroitich AM, Dunford L, Armitage R, Tanna S. Patients Access to Medicines - A Critical Review of the Healthcare System in Kenya. Risk Manag Healthc Policy 2022; 15:361-374. [PMID: 35256867 PMCID: PMC8898182 DOI: 10.2147/rmhp.s348816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Access to affordable, safe, effective, and quality-assured medicines by a patient is important for good health outcomes. Unfortunately, there is sparse literature published on the pharmaceutical enablers that may increase the sale of a substandard and falsified (SF) medicine to a patient in Kenya. The review highlights some of the factors that may facilitate the entry of SF medicines into the legitimate pharmaceutical supply chain and discusses their impact on patient access to medicines. Lack of essential medicines in public health facilities is an important factor that may contribute to increased demand for medicine-related out-of-pocket expenses from private health facilities, thus a likelihood for a patient purchasing SF medicine from unlicensed and illegal medicine outlets or unregulated websites. The need to increase medicine availability in the public sector by the Ministry of Health (MOH) is emphasized in addition to the strengthening of public procurement to cushion it from corruption and mismanagement. In addition, the MOH should promote local pharmaceutical manufacturing and implement a medicine pricing containment policy to avoid abuse and prevent overexploitation of patients, increase medicine price transparency, and reduce pharmaceutical supply chain distortion. Recommended regulatory reviews include accreditation of unlicensed illegal medicine outlets to facilitate accountability, regulatory oversight, and active surveillance. The national post-market surveillance regulatory capacity should be strengthened to improve rational medicine use. A 3-year diploma course should be replaced with a shorter 1- or 2-year pharmaceutical support staff training not eligible to superintend a pharmacy. The recommended legislative review includes a mandatory clause to enforce generic prescribing and the implementation of generic substitution by health workers. Unethical manipulative pharmaceutical marketing practices should carry stiffer penalties to deter malpractice. Future research areas include investigation of medicine prescribing and dispensing practices, medicine consumption studies, medicine price differences within different health sub-sectors, and between licensed pharmacies and unlicensed illegal medicine outlets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Martin Toroitich
- Trade Affairs Department, Pharmacy and Poisons Board, Nairobi, Kenya
- Leicester School of Pharmacy, De Montfort University, Leicester, UK
| | - Louise Dunford
- Leicester School of Allied Health Sciences, De Montfort University, Leicester, UK
| | - Rachel Armitage
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, De Montfort University, Leicester, UK
| | - Sangeeta Tanna
- Leicester School of Pharmacy, De Montfort University, Leicester, UK
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Lee JA, Wanjiku G, Nduku N, Aluisio AR, Kharel R, Simiyu JT, Wachira BW. The status and future of emergency care in the Republic of Kenya. Afr J Emerg Med 2022; 12:48-52. [PMID: 35070654 PMCID: PMC8761612 DOI: 10.1016/j.afjem.2021.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Kenya is a rapidly developing country with a growing economy and evolving health care system. In the decade since the last publication on the state of emergency care in Kenya, significant developments have occurred in the country's approach to emergency care. Importantly, the country decentralized most health care functions to county governments in 2013. Despite the triple burden of traumatic, communicable, and non-communicable diseases, the structure of the health care system in the Republic of Kenya is evolving to adapt to the important role for the care of emergent medical conditions. This report provides a ten-year interval update on the current state of the development of emergency medical care and training in Kenya, and looks ahead towards areas for growth and development. Of particular focus is the role emergency care plays in Universal Health Coverage, and adapting to challenges from the devolution of health care.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Austin Lee
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Brown University Warren Alpert Medical School, United States of America
- Corresponding author.
| | - Grace Wanjiku
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Brown University Warren Alpert Medical School, United States of America
| | - Naomi Nduku
- Presbyterian Church of East Africa, Chogoria Mission Hospital, Kenya
| | - Adam R. Aluisio
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Brown University Warren Alpert Medical School, United States of America
| | - Ramu Kharel
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Brown University Warren Alpert Medical School, United States of America
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Cesare N, Were LPO. A multi-step approach to managing missing data in time and patient variant electronic health records. BMC Res Notes 2022; 15:64. [PMID: 35177096 PMCID: PMC8851714 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-022-05911-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Electronic health records (EHR) hold promise for conducting large-scale analyses linking individual characteristics to health outcomes. However, these data often contain a large number of missing values at both the patient and visit level due to variation in data collection across facilities, providers, and clinical need. This study proposes a stepwise framework for imputing missing values within a visit-level EHR dataset that combines informative missingness and conditional imputation in a scalable manner that may be parallelized for efficiency. RESULTS For this study we use a subset of data from AMPATH representing information from 530,812 clinic visits from 16,316 Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) positive women across Western Kenya who have given birth. We apply this process to a set of 84 clinical, social and economic variables and are able to impute values for 84.6% of variables with missing data with an average reduction in missing data of approximately 35.6%. We validate the use of this imputed dataset by predicting National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) enrollment with 94.8% accuracy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Cesare
- Boston University School of Public Health, Biostatistics and Epidemiology Data Analytics Center, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Lawrence P O Were
- Department of Health Sciences & School of Public Health, Department of Global Health, Boston University Sargent College, Boston, MA, USA
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Palmer T, Jennings HM, Shannon G, Salustri F, Grewal G, Chelagat W, Sarker M, Pelletier N, Haghparast-Bidgoli H, Skordis J. Improving access to diabetes care for children: An evaluation of the changing diabetes in children project in Kenya and Bangladesh. Pediatr Diabetes 2022; 23:19-32. [PMID: 34713540 DOI: 10.1111/pedi.13277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The changing diabetes in children (CDiC) project is a public-private partnership implemented by Novo Nordisk, to improve access to diabetes care for children with type 1 diabetes. This paper outlines the findings from an evaluation of CDiC in Bangladesh and Kenya, assessing whether CDiC has achieved its objectives in each of six core program components. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS The Rapid Assessment Protocol for Insulin Access (RAPIA) framework was used to analyze the path of insulin provision and the healthcare infrastructure in place for diagnosis and treatment of diabetes. The RAPIA facilitates a mixed-methods approach to multiple levels of data collection and systems analysis. Information is collected through questionnaires, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, site visits, and document reviews, engaging a wide range of stakeholders (N = 127). All transcripts were analyzed thematically. RESULTS The CDiC scheme provides a stable supply of free insulin to children in implementing facilities in Kenya and Bangladesh, and offers a comprehensive package of pediatric diabetes care. However, some elements of the CDiC program were not functioning as originally intended. Transitions away from donor funding and toward government ownership are a particular concern, as patients may incur additional treatment costs, while services offered may be reduced. Additionally, despite subsidized treatment costs, indirect costs remain a substantial barrier to care. CONCLUSION Public-private partnerships such as the CDiC program can improve access to life-saving medicines. However, our analysis found several limitations, including concerns over the sustainability of the project in both countries. Any program reliant on external funding and delivered in a high-turnover staffing environment will be vulnerable to sustainability concerns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Palmer
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Geordan Shannon
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
| | | | | | | | - Mithun Sarker
- Diabetic Association of Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Nicole Pelletier
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Jolene Skordis
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
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Koohpayehzadeh J, Azami-Aghdash S, Derakhshani N, Rezapour A, Alaei Kalajahi R, Sajjadi Khasraghi J, Nikoomanesh M, Sabetrohani H, Soleimanpour S. Best Practices in Achieving Universal Health Coverage: A Scoping Review. Med J Islam Repub Iran 2021; 35:191. [PMID: 36042832 PMCID: PMC9391760 DOI: 10.47176/mjiri.35.191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is a very important and effective policy in the health system of countries worldwide. Using the experiences and learning from the best practices of successful countries in the UHC can be very helpful. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to provide a scoping review of successful global interventions and practices in achieving UHC. Methods: This is a scoping review study that has been conducted using the Arkesy and O'Malley framework. To gather information, Embase, PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Scopus, Scientific Information Database, and MagIran were searched using relevant keywords from 2000 to 2019. Studies about different reforms in health systems and case studies, which have examined successful interventions and reforms on the path to UHC, were included. Articles and abstracts presented at conferences and congresses were excluded. Framework Analysis was also used to analyze the data. Results: Out of 4257 articles, 57 finally included in the study. The results showed that of the 40 countries that had successful interventions, most were Asian. The interventions were financial protection (40 interventions that were categorized into 14 items), service coverage (31 interventions categorized into 7 items), population coverage (36 interventions categorized into 9 items), and quality (18 interventions categorized into 7 items), respectively. Also, the positive results of interventions on the way to achieving UHC were financial protection (14 interventions), service coverage (7 interventions), population coverage (9 interventions), and quality (7 interventions), respectively. Conclusion: This study provides a comprehensive and clear view of successful interventions in achieving the UHC. Therefore, with consideration to lessons learned from successful interventions, policymakers can design appropriate interventions for their country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jalil Koohpayehzadeh
- Preventive Medicine and Public Health Research Center, Psychosocial Health Research Institute, Community and Family Medicine Department, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saber Azami-Aghdash
- Tabriz Health Services Management Research Center, Health Management and Safety Promotion Research Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Naser Derakhshani
- Health Management and Economics Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Aziz Rezapour
- Health Management and Economics Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Riaz Alaei Kalajahi
- Department of Health Management and Economics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Javad Sajjadi Khasraghi
- Department of Health Management and Economics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahdi Nikoomanesh
- Student Research Committee, School of Health Management and Information Sciences Branch, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamideh Sabetrohani
- Preventive Medicine and Public Health Research Center, Psychosocial Health Research Institute, Community and Family Medicine Department, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Samira Soleimanpour
- Department of Medical Librarianship and Information Sciences, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Roche SD, Wairimu N, Mogere P, Kamolloh K, Odoyo J, Kwena ZA, Bukusi EA, Ngure K, Baeten JM, Ortblad KF. Acceptability and Feasibility of Pharmacy-Based Delivery of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis in Kenya: A Qualitative Study of Client and Provider Perspectives. AIDS Behav 2021; 25:3871-3882. [PMID: 33826022 PMCID: PMC8602157 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-021-03229-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
As countries scale up pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention, diverse PrEP delivery models are needed to expand access to populations at HIV risk that are unwilling or unable to access clinic-based PrEP care. To identify factors that may influence implementation of retail pharmacy-based PrEP delivery in Kenya, we conducted in-depth interviews with 40 pharmacy clients, 16 pharmacy providers, 16 PrEP clients, and 10 PrEP providers from two provinces. Most participants expressed strong support for expanding PrEP to retail pharmacies, though conditioned their acceptance on assurances that care would be private, respectful, safe, and affordable. Participant-reported determinants of feasibility centered primarily on ensuring that the intervention is compatible with retail pharmacy operations (e.g., staffing levels, documentation requirements). Future research is needed to develop and test tailored packages of implementation strategies that are most effective at integrating PrEP delivery into routine pharmacy practice in Kenya and other high HIV prevalence settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie D Roche
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, 325 Ninth Avenue, Seattle, Washington, 98104, USA.
| | - Njeri Wairimu
- Partners in Health and Research Development, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Peter Mogere
- Partners in Health and Research Development, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Kevin Kamolloh
- Center for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Josephine Odoyo
- Center for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Zachary A Kwena
- Center for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Elizabeth A Bukusi
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, 325 Ninth Avenue, Seattle, Washington, 98104, USA
- Center for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Kenneth Ngure
- Partners in Health and Research Development, Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Community Health, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Jared M Baeten
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, 325 Ninth Avenue, Seattle, Washington, 98104, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Katrina F Ortblad
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, 325 Ninth Avenue, Seattle, Washington, 98104, USA
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Zeng W, Musiega A, Oyasi J, Giorgio LD, Chuma J, Lu R, Ahn H. Understanding the Performance of County Health Service Delivery in Kenya: A Mixed Method Analysis. Health Policy Plan 2021; 37:189-199. [PMID: 34718555 PMCID: PMC7613432 DOI: 10.1093/heapol/czab129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
To better understand the wide variation of performance among county health systems in Kenya, this study investigated their performance determinants. We selected five counties with varied performance and examined their performance across five domains containing 10 thematic areas. We conducted a stakeholder analysis, consisting of focus group discussions and key informant interviews, and administered a quantitative survey to quantify the magnitude of inefficiency. The study found that a shortage of funding was one of the most common complaints from counties, leading to inefficiency in the health system. Another major reason for inefficiencies was the delay in disbursing funding to health facilities, which affected the procurement of medical supplies and commodities essential for delivering healthcare to the population. In addition, lack of autonomy in procuring commodities and equipment was repeatedly mentioned as a barrier to delivering quality health services. Other reported common concerns contributing to the performance of county health systems were the lack of lab tests and equipment, low willingness to join health insurance, rigid procurement policies and lengthy procurement process, lack of motivation and incentives for service delivery, and poor economic status. Despite the common concerns among the five counties, they differed in some schematic areas, such as the county’s commitment to health and community mobilization. In summary, this study suggests various factors that determine county health system performance. Given the multifaceted nature of inefficiency drivers, it is necessary to adopt a holistic approach to address the causes of inefficiencies and improve the county health systems
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Affiliation(s)
- Wu Zeng
- Department of International Health, School of Nursing & Health Studies, Georgetown University, 20007 USA
| | - Anita Musiega
- Health Economics Research Unit, KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | | | | | - Ruoyan Lu
- School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, China
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Wirtz VJ, Servan-Mori E, Mungai J, Mboya J, Rockers PC, Onyango MA, Kiragu ZW, Laing R. Probability and amount of medicines expenditure according to health insurance status in Kenya: A household survey in eight counties. Int J Health Plann Manage 2021; 37:725-733. [PMID: 34674309 PMCID: PMC9298347 DOI: 10.1002/hpm.3368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2020] [Revised: 07/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background National and county governments in Kenya have introduced various health insurance schemes to protect households against financial hardship as a result of large health expenditure. This study examines the relationship between health insurance and medicine expenditure in eight counties in Kenya. Methods A cross‐sectional study of collected primary data via household survey in eight counties was performed. Three measures of medicine expenditure were analysed: the probability of any out‐of‐pocket expenditure (OOPE) on medicines in the last 4 weeks; amount of OOPE on medicines; and OOPE on medicines as a proportion of total OOPE on health. Results Out of the 452 individuals, those with health insurance (n = 225) were significantly different from individuals without health insurance (n = 227): overall, they were older, had a higher level of educational attainment and possessed more assets. Adjusting for covariates, individuals with health insurance had a reduced probability of OOPE on medicines (0.40, CI95% 0.197–0.827) and spent proportionally less on medicines out of total health expenditure (0.50, CI95% 0.301–0.926). Conclusions Kenya has made great strides to scale up Universal Health Coverage including access to medicines. Prioritising enrollment of low‐income individuals with non‐communicable diseases can accelerate access to medicines and financial protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika J Wirtz
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Edson Servan-Mori
- Center for Health Systems Research, National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - John Mungai
- Innovation for Poverty Action, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - John Mboya
- Innovation for Poverty Action, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Peter C Rockers
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Monica A Onyango
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Zana Wangari Kiragu
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Richard Laing
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,School of Public Health, University of Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
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Mwenda N, Nduati R, Kosgei M, Kerich G. What Drives Outpatient Care Costs in Kenya? An Analysis With Generalized Estimating Equations. Front Public Health 2021; 9:648465. [PMID: 34631637 PMCID: PMC8492944 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.648465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to identify the factors associated with outpatient expenses incurred by households in Kenya. Background: The problem of outpatient healthcare expenses incurred by citizens in countries with limited resources has received little attention. Thus, this study aimed to determine the predictors of household spending on outpatient expenses in Kenya. Method: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis on households in Kenya using data from the 2018 Kenya Household Health Expenditure and Utilization Survey. We applied the generalized estimating equations method to determine the best subset of predictors of outpatient care cost. Findings: The best predictors of outpatient care expenses in Kenya are age, wealth index, and education level of the household head. Conclusions: There were no differences regarding age in the mean spending on outpatient care. Moreover, we found that the cost of outpatient care changes with age in a sinusoidal manner. We observed that rich households spent more on outpatient care, mostly owing to their financial ability. Households whose heads reported primary or secondary school education level spent less on outpatient costs than households headed by those who never went to school.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ngugi Mwenda
- School of Aerospace and Physical Science, Department of Mathematics, Physics and Computing, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Ruth Nduati
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Mathew Kosgei
- School of Aerospace and Physical Science, Department of Mathematics, Physics and Computing, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Gregory Kerich
- School of Aerospace and Physical Science, Department of Mathematics, Physics and Computing, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya
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Njagi P, Groot W, Arsenijevic J. Impact of household shocks on access to healthcare services in Kenya: a propensity score matching analysis. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e048189. [PMID: 34561259 PMCID: PMC8475159 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-048189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study examines the effects of household shocks on access to healthcare services in Kenya. Shocks are adverse events that lead to loss of household income and/or assets. DESIGN AND SETTING The study used data from the Kenya Integrated Household Budget Survey 2015/2016, a nationally representative cross-sectional survey. A propensity score matching approach was applied for the analysis. PARTICIPANTS The study sample included 16 297 individuals from households that had experienced shocks (intervention) and those that had not experienced shocks (control) within the last 12 months preceding the survey. OUTCOME MEASURES The outcome of interest was access to healthcare services based on an individual's perceived need for health intervention. RESULTS The results indicate that shocks reduce access to healthcare services when household members are confronted with an illness. We observed that multiple shocks in a household exacerbate the risk of not accessing healthcare services. Asset shocks had a significant negative effect on access to healthcare services, whereas the effect of income shocks was not statistically significant. This is presumably due to the smoothing out of income shocks through the sale of assets or borrowing. However, considering the time when the shock occurred, we observed mixed results that varied according to the type of shock. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that shocks can limit the capacity of households to invest in healthcare services, emphasising their vulnerability to risks and inability to cope with the consequences. These results provoke a debate on the causal pathway of household economic shocks and health-seeking behaviour. The results suggest a need for social protection programmes to integrate mechanisms that enable households to build resilience to shocks. A more viable approach would be to expedite universal health insurance to cushion households from forgoing needed healthcare when confronted with unanticipated risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Purity Njagi
- Maastricht Graduate School of Governance, UNU-MERIT, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Wim Groot
- Maastricht Graduate School of Governance, UNU-MERIT, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Health Services Research, Maastricht University Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Jelena Arsenijevic
- School of Governance, Utrecht University Faculty of Law, Economics and Governance, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Gillio AM, Li HW, Bhatia MB, Chepkemoi E, Rutto EJ, Carpenter KL, Saruni SI, Keung CH, Hunter-Squires JL. Gender Differences in Insurance, Surgical Admissions and Outcomes at a Kenyan Referral Hospital. J Surg Res 2021; 268:199-208. [PMID: 34340011 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2021.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Gender is an important factor in determining access to healthcare resources. Women face additional barriers, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Surgical costs can be devastating, which can exacerbate engendered disparities. Kenya's National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) aims to achieve universal coverage and protect beneficiaries from catastrophic health expenditures. We examine gender differences in NHIF coverage, health-seeking behavior, and surgical outcomes at a tertiary care hospital in Eldoret, Kenya. MATERIALS AND METHODS All patients ≥13 years admitted to the general surgery service at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital from January 2018-July 2018 were enrolled. Health records were retrospectively reviewed for demographic data, clinical parameters, NHIF enrollment, and cost information. Descriptive analyses utilized Wilcoxon Rank Sum, Pearson's Chi-square, and Fisher's Exact tests. RESULTS 366 patients were included for analysis. 48.6% were enrolled in NHIF with significant female predominance (64.8% versus 37.9%, P < 0.0001). Despite differing coverage rates, male and female patients underwent surgery and suffered in-hospital mortality at similar rates. However, women only comprised 39.6% of admissions and were significantly more likely to delay care (median 60 versus 7 days, P < 0.0001), be diagnosed with cancer (26.6% versus 13.2%, P = 0.0024), and require a palliative procedure for cancer (44.1% versus 13.0%, P = 0.013). CONCLUSION Many financial and cultural barriers exist in Kenya that prevent women from accessing healthcare as readily as men, persisting despite higher rates of NHIF coverage amongst female patients. Investigation into extra-hospital costs and social disempowerment for women may elucidate key needs for achieving health equity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M Gillio
- Department of General Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IND.
| | - Helen W Li
- Department of General Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IND
| | - Manisha B Bhatia
- Department of General Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IND
| | | | | | - Kyle L Carpenter
- Department of General Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IND
| | - Seno I Saruni
- Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kesses, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Connie H Keung
- Department of General Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IND
| | - JoAnna L Hunter-Squires
- Department of General Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IND; Moi University, Kesses, Eldoret, Kenya
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Koon AD, Hawkins B, Mayhew SH. Framing universal health coverage in Kenya: an interpretive analysis of the 2004 Bill on National Social Health Insurance. Health Policy Plan 2021; 35:1376-1384. [PMID: 33227121 DOI: 10.1093/heapol/czaa133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In 2004, President Mwai Kibaki of Kenya refused to sign a popular Bill on National Social Health Insurance into law. Drawing on innovations in framing theory, this research provides a social explanation for this decision. In addition to document review, this study involved interpretive analysis of transcripts from 50 semi-structured interviews with leading actors involved in the health financing policy process in Kenya, 2014-15. The frame-critical analysis focused on how actors engaged in (1) sensemaking, (2) naming, which includes selecting and categorizing and (3) storytelling. We demonstrated that actors' abilities to make sense of the Bill were largely influenced by their own understandings of the finer features of the Bill and the array of interest groups privy to the debate. This was reinforced by a process of naming, which selects and categorizes aspects of the Bill, including the public persona of its primary sponsor, its affordability, sustainability, technical dimensions and linkages to notions of economic liberalism. Actors used these understandings and names to tell stories of ideational warfare, which involved narrative accounts of policy resistance and betrayal. This analysis illustrates the difficulty in enacting sweeping reform measures and thus provides a basis for understanding incrementalism in Kenyan health policy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam D Koon
- Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA.,Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Benjamin Hawkins
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Susannah H Mayhew
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Jia J, Song L, Li L. WITHDRAWN: Impact of basic medical insurance fund risk on the health risk assessment of urban residents. Work 2021:WOR205352. [PMID: 34308921 DOI: 10.3233/wor-205352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Ahead of Print article withdrawn by publisher.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianyu Jia
- School of Economics, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing, China
| | - Li Song
- School of Economics, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Li
- Lyceum of the Philippines University, Manila, Philippines
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Ochieng'a GO, Ogada M. Financing employee healthcare: fusing the preferences of employees in decision-making. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF WORKPLACE HEALTH MANAGEMENT 2021. [DOI: 10.1108/ijwhm-01-2021-0010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Good health is important for the happiness and productivity of employees of any organization and a nation. With the declining government funding for public Universities in Kenya, providing health cover for employees is a real challenge. Thus, the universities have to explore widely acceptable and sustainable options. This study aims to explore the correlations of employee preferences for health care schemes and evaluated the cost implications of each of the available Schemes.Design/methodology/approach The study applied a multinomial probit analysis on cross-sectional data from Taita Taveta University (TTU) in Kenya's coastal region. Cost-benefit analysis was used to rank alternative healthcare schemes. For triangulation of information, individual interviews were supplemented with key informant interviews.Findings Two sets of factors, personal attributes of employees and the attributes of the health care provider, were found to drive employee preferences for health care schemes. Thus, the universities need to consider these attributes in their choice sets of health care schemes to gain employee support.Research limitations/implications The study was based on a cross-sectional survey that may not capture the dynamic elements in institutional management. Thus, future research may build panel data on the current one for further analysis.Practical implications The study found that household characteristics and the perceived attributes of the healthcare providers are key drivers of the preferences. Thus, it is important to consider the characteristics of the employees (for example, age, family sizes, etc.) and attributes of healthcare providers before selecting a healthcare scheme for the workersOriginality/value This is a pioneer study on the choice of healthcare scheme for institutions of higher learning in Kenya. Universities are made aware of what informs employee's preferences for health schemes. This is important for tailoring health care schemes to match employee preferences for greater satisfaction.
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Haw NJL, Uy J, Ho BL. Association of SHI coverage and level of healthcare utilization and costs in the Philippines: a 10-year pooled analysis. J Public Health (Oxf) 2021; 42:e496-e505. [PMID: 31781739 DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdz142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), which manages the Philippine national health insurance program, is a critical actor in the country's strategy for universal health coverage. Over the past decade, PhilHealth has passed significant coverage, benefits and payment reforms to contain costs and improve the affordability care for high-cost diseases, inpatient care and select outpatient services. METHODS We studied the association of PhilHealth with health care utilization and health care costs using three rounds of the Philippine Demographic and Health Survey with data on individual outpatient and inpatient visits from 2008 to 2017. RESULTS PhilHealth membership was associated with 42% greater odds of outpatient utilization and 47-100% greater odds inpatient utilization depending on survey year. Depending on facility type, use of PhilHealth to pay for care was associated with higher average health care costs of 244-865% for outpatient care and 135-206% for inpatient care. CONCLUSIONS PhilHealth has likely decreased barriers to health care utilization but may have inadvertently driven up health care costs in the country. Results align with past studies that suggest that reforms in the prior decade have done little to contain health care costs for Filipinos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nel Jason L Haw
- School of Science and Engineering, Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City 1108, Philippines
| | - Jhanna Uy
- School of Science and Engineering, Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City 1108, Philippines
| | - Beverly Lorraine Ho
- Health Policy Development and Planning Bureau, Department of Health Philippines, Manila City 1003, Philippines
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Fothergill-Misbah N, Walker R, Kwasa J, Hooker J, Hampshire K. "Old people problems", uncertainty and legitimacy: Challenges with diagnosing Parkinson's disease in Kenya. Soc Sci Med 2021; 282:114148. [PMID: 34153822 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Very little is known about the experience of people living with Parkinson's disease (PD) in low- and middle-income countries, such as those in sub-Saharan Africa. The number of specialists in the region is low and awareness is limited among the population and healthcare professionals. Drawing on ten months of ethnographic fieldwork in urban and rural Kenya with 55 people living with PD (PwP), 23 family members and 22 healthcare professionals from public and private clinics, we set out to understand the experience of diagnosis among PwP in Kenya. The diagnostic journeys of our study participants were typically long, convoluted and confusing. Lack of relevant information, combined with comorbidities and expectations about 'normal' ageing, often conspired to delay interactions with health services for many. There often followed an extended period of diagnostic uncertainty, misdiagnosis and even 'undiagnosis', where a diagnostic decision was reversed. Following diagnosis, patients continued to lack information about their condition and prognosis, making it difficult for friends, family members and others to understand what was happening to them. We suggest that awareness of PD and its symptoms needs to improve among the general population and healthcare professionals. However, diagnosis is only the first step, and needs to be accompanied by better access to information, affordable treatment and support.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Richard Walker
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom; Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Judith Kwasa
- Department of Medicine, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Kate Hampshire
- Department of Anthropology, Durham University, Durham, United Kingdom
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Otieno PO, Kiroro F, Runyenje C, Kamau P. Unmet need for primary healthcare and associated individual and household-level factors in Kenya: results from a national survey. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e041032. [PMID: 34049900 PMCID: PMC8166634 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-041032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Revised: 05/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of unmet need for primary healthcare and associated individual and household-level factors in Kenya. DESIGN The data for this study are drawn from the 2016 Kenya Integrated Household Budget Survey (KIHBS). A multistage sampling technique involving a systematic selection of clusters at the national level and final selection of households was used. SETTING This study was conducted in Kenya. The KIHBS is a nationally representative survey on a wide range of indicators to assess the progress made in improving the living standards of the population at the national level. PARTICIPANTS A total of 9447 households comprising 15 539 household members who reported a sickness or injury over the 4 weeks preceding this survey were included in this study. The study respondents comprised of the household heads. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE The primary outcome of this study is unmet need for primary healthcare defined as an unexpressed demand for primary healthcare following a reported sickness or injury over the 4 weeks preceding this survey. RESULTS About one in every five study participants experienced an unexpressed demand for primary care. The odds of having unmet need for primary healthcare were 68% higher among participants without health insurance coverage compared with those with health insurance (adjusted OR 1.68; p<0.001; 95% CI 1.34 to 2.09) and 45% higher among households headed by single or unmarried persons compared with the those who were in a marital union (adjusted OR 1.45; p<0.05; 95% CI 1.06 to 1.98). CONCLUSIONS Our findings show that there is still a considerable unexpressed demand for primary care services despite widespread implementation of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Kenya, with households without a health insurance cover bearing the highest burden. Therefore, the design of UHC reforms in Kenya should focus on embedding social health protection to escalate the demand for primary healthcare services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter O Otieno
- African Population and Health Research Center, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Francis Kiroro
- African Population and Health Research Center, Nairobi, Kenya
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Joseph J, Sankar D. H, Nambiar D. Empanelment of health care facilities under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) in India. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0251814. [PMID: 34043664 PMCID: PMC8158976 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction India’s Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) is the world’s largest health assurance scheme providing health cover of 500,000 INR (about USD 6,800) per family per year. It provides financial support for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization expenses to about 500 million of India’s poorest households through various insurance models with care delivered by public and private empanelled providers. This study undertook to describe the provider empanelment of PM-JAY, a key element of its functioning and determinant of its impact. Methods We carried out secondary analysis of cross-sectional administrative program data publicly available in PM-JAY portal for 30 Indian states and 06 UTs. We analysed the state wise distribution, type and sector of empanelled hospitals and services offered through PM-JAY scheme across all the states and UTs. Results We found that out of the total facilities empanelled (N = 20,257) under the scheme in 2020, more than half (N = 11,367, 56%) were in the public sector, while 8,157 (40%) facilities were private for profit, and 733 (4%) were private not for profit entities. State wise distribution of hospitals showed that five states (Karnataka (N = 2,996, 14.9%), Gujarat (N = 2,672, 13.3%), Uttar Pradesh (N = 2,627, 13%), Tamil Nadu (N = 2315, 11.5%) and Rajasthan (N = 2,093 facilities, 10.4%) contributed to more than 60% of empanelled PMJAY facilities: We also observed that 40% of facilities were offering between two and five specialties while 14% of empanelled hospitals provided 21–24 specialties. Conclusion A majority of the hospital empanelled under the scheme are in states with previous experience of implementing publicly funded health insurance schemes, with the exception of Uttar Pradesh. Reasons underlying these patterns of empanelment as well as the impact of empanelment on service access, utilisation, population health and financial risk protection warrant further study. While the inclusion and regulation of the private sector is a goal that may be served by empanelment, the role of public sector remains critical, particularly in underserved areas of India.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaison Joseph
- The George Institute for Global Health, New Delhi, India
- * E-mail: ,
| | - Hari Sankar D.
- The George Institute for Global Health, New Delhi, India
| | - Devaki Nambiar
- The George Institute for Global Health, New Delhi, India
- Prasanna School of Public Health, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
- Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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Roll A, Katz A, Lane J. A framework policy analysis of national health insurance policymaking in sub-Saharan Africa. Health Policy Plan 2021; 36:1246-1256. [PMID: 33837404 DOI: 10.1093/heapol/czaa160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
National health insurance (NHI) is a financing mechanism established by a national government with the goal of covering all or almost all of its citizens. A number of low- and middle-income countries have established NHIs as part of a strategy to progress towards universal health coverage. The establishment of an NHI presents a potentially significant shift in national health sector governance, but little is available in the literature regarding how policymaking authority and health governance is shared between NHIs and ministries of health (MOHs). To answer this question, we conducted a descriptive, qualitative comparative analysis of policies, including legislation, guidelines and webpages, from four sub-Saharan African countries that have established or are in the process of establishing an NHI scheme as of 2019 (Ghana, Kenya, Zambia and South Africa). We developed a novel conceptual framework comprising 16 NHI policy domains and conducted a deductive review of relevant policies. We then extracted and indexed policy elements according to this framework to facilitate comparative analysis. We found substantial variation across countries in the types of policies developed and the decision-making authority around those policies. MOHs in all four countries retained at least some decision-making power over the NHIs through regulations and appointment of board members. However, NHIs were often delegated policymaking authority in key areas including financing mechanisms, provider payments, member payments, benefit schemes, accreditation and relationships with private health insurance schemes. The results of this analysis illustrate many aspects of health regulatory power and oversight that will need to be defined as part of establishing NHIs. The approaches from these four countries and the conceptual framework presented in this manuscript may be helpful for other countries in evaluating differing approaches to shared health governance between NHIs and MOHs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Roll
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Hans Rosling Center, Global Health, UW Box #351620, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Aaron Katz
- Department of Health Services, University of Washington, Hans Rosling Center, 3980 15th Ave NE, Fourth Floor Box 351621, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Jeff Lane
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Hans Rosling Center, Global Health, UW Box #351620, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
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Ifeagwu SC, Yang JC, Parkes-Ratanshi R, Brayne C. Health financing for universal health coverage in Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review. Glob Health Res Policy 2021; 6:8. [PMID: 33641673 PMCID: PMC7916997 DOI: 10.1186/s41256-021-00190-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Universal health coverage (UHC) embedded within the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, is defined by the World Health Organization as all individuals having access to required health services, of sufficient quality, without suffering financial hardship. Effective strategies for financing healthcare are critical in achieving this goal yet remain a challenge in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This systematic review aims to determine reported health financing mechanisms in SSA within the published literature and summarize potential learnings. METHODS A systematic review was conducted aligned with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) reporting guidelines. On 19 to 30 July 2019, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, Global Health Database, the Cochrane Library, Scopus and JSTOR were searched for literature published from 2005. Studies describing health financing approaches for UHC in SSA were included. Evidence was synthesised in form of a table and thematic analysis. RESULTS Of all records, 39 papers were selected for inclusion. Among the included studies, most studies were conducted in Kenya (n = 7), followed by SSA as a whole (n = 6) and Nigeria (n = 5). More than two thirds of the selected studies reported the importance of equitable national health insurance schemes for UHC. The results indicate that a majority of health care revenue in SSA is from direct out-of-pocket payments. Another common financing mechanism was donor funding, which was reported by most of the studies. The average quality score of all studies was 81.6%, indicating a high appraisal score. The interrater reliability Cohen's kappa score, κ=0.43 (p = 0.002), which showed a moderate level of agreement. CONCLUSIONS Appropriate health financing strategies that safeguard financial risk protection underpin sustainable health services and the attainment of UHC. It is evident from the review that innovative health financing strategies in SSA are needed. Some limitations of this review include potentially skewed interpretations due to publication bias and a higher frequency of publications included from two countries in SSA. Establishing evidence-based and multi-sectoral strategies tailored to country contexts remains imperative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan C. Ifeagwu
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Cambridge Public Health, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Justin C. Yang
- Department of Epidemiology and Applied Clinical Research, Division of Psychiatry, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Rosalind Parkes-Ratanshi
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Cambridge Public Health, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Carol Brayne
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Cambridge Public Health, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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Kiragu ZW, Gathecha G, Mwangi MK, Ndegwa Z, Pastakia S, Nyagah D, Cizungu RN, Takah Mutwiri M, Ndolo M, Wirtz VJ. Access to Medicines for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDS) during COVID-19 in Kenya: A Descriptive Commentary. Health Syst Reform 2021; 7:e1984865. [PMID: 34748436 DOI: 10.1080/23288604.2021.1984865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Evidence shows that those with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are at higher risk for serious illness and mortality from COVID-19. In Kenya, about 50% of the COVID-19 patients who have died had an NCD. We sought to describe the challenges faced in accessing NCD medicines in Kenya during the pandemic, through a descriptive narrative informed by key stakeholders engaged in NCD service delivery and decision-making. Access to NCD medicines was affected at three levels, service delivery, health facility information systems and the medicines supply chain to health facilities. In response to these gaps, the Ministry of Health released clear directives and interim guidelines for continuity of NCD service delivery. However, implementation of guidelines was not apparent from conversations with county officials or from assessment of county services by the Ministry. Rather, heterogeneity was observed in counties' responsiveness to patient needs, where 5 out of 13 counties used mHealth technologies, while 5 had no established system to reach patients. COVID-19 amplified gaps that already existed in the system-particularly around lack of robust supply chains and sub-optimal health information systems. This descriptive paper will be useful to policy makers to provide a summary of the key challenges faced in accessing NCD medicines, identify gaps in medicines delivery, and make case for establishment of a more equitable health system to meet the needs of lower-income NCD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zana Wangari Kiragu
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Gladwell Gathecha
- Division of Non-Communicable Diseases, Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Martin K Mwangi
- Division of Non-Communicable Diseases, Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Zachary Ndegwa
- Division of Non-Communicable Diseases, Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Sonak Pastakia
- Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare, Eldoret, Kenya.,Center for Health Equity and Innovation, Purdue University College of Pharmacy, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Daniel Nyagah
- Embu County Health Department, County Government, Embu, Kenya
| | | | - Mariana Takah Mutwiri
- Department of Marketing and Strategy, Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies, Kenya
| | | | - Veronika J Wirtz
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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48
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Harris B, Ajisola M, Alam RM, Watkins JA, Arvanitis TN, Bakibinga P, Chipwaza B, Choudhury NN, Kibe P, Fayehun O, Omigbodun A, Owoaje E, Pemba S, Potter R, Rizvi N, Sturt J, Cave J, Iqbal R, Kabaria C, Kalolo A, Kyobutungi C, Lilford RJ, Mashanya T, Ndegese S, Rahman O, Sayani S, Yusuf R, Griffiths F. Mobile consulting as an option for delivering healthcare services in low-resource settings in low- and middle-income countries: A mixed-methods study. Digit Health 2021; 7:20552076211033425. [PMID: 34777849 PMCID: PMC8580492 DOI: 10.1177/20552076211033425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Remote or mobile consulting is being promoted to strengthen health systems, deliver universal health coverage and facilitate safe clinical communication during coronavirus disease 2019 and beyond. We explored whether mobile consulting is a viable option for communities with minimal resources in low- and middle-income countries. METHODS We reviewed evidence published since 2018 about mobile consulting in low- and middle-income countries and undertook a scoping study (pre-coronavirus disease) in two rural settings (Pakistan and Tanzania) and five urban slums (Kenya, Nigeria and Bangladesh), using policy/document review, secondary analysis of survey data (from the urban sites) and thematic analysis of interviews/workshops with community members, healthcare workers, digital/telecommunications experts, mobile consulting providers, and local and national decision-makers. Project advisory groups guided the study in each country. RESULTS We reviewed four empirical studies and seven reviews, analysed data from 5322 urban slum households and engaged with 424 stakeholders in rural and urban sites. Regulatory frameworks are available in each country. Mobile consulting services are operating through provider platforms (n = 5-17) and, at the community level, some direct experience of mobile consulting with healthcare workers using their own phones was reported - for emergencies, advice and care follow-up. Stakeholder willingness was high, provided challenges are addressed in technology, infrastructure, data security, confidentiality, acceptability and health system integration. Mobile consulting can reduce affordability barriers and facilitate care-seeking practices. CONCLUSIONS There are indications of readiness for mobile consulting in communities with minimal resources. However, wider system strengthening is needed to bolster referrals, specialist services, laboratories and supply chains to fully realise the continuity of care and responsiveness that mobile consulting services offer, particularly during/beyond coronavirus disease 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Motunrayo Ajisola
- Department of Sociology, Faculty of the Social Sciences, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Raisa Meher Alam
- Centre for Health, Population and Development, Independent University
Bangladesh, Bangladesh
| | | | | | | | - Beatrice Chipwaza
- St Francis University College of Health and Allied Sciences,
Tanzania
| | | | - Peter Kibe
- African Population and Health Research
Center, Kenya
| | - Olufunke Fayehun
- Department of Sociology, Faculty of the Social Sciences, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Akinyinka Omigbodun
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Clinical
Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Eme Owoaje
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Public Health, College
of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Senga Pemba
- St Francis University College of Health and Allied Sciences,
Tanzania
| | - Rachel Potter
- Clinical Trials Unit Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, University of Warwick, UK
| | - Narjis Rizvi
- Community Health Sciences Department, Aga Khan University, Pakistan
| | - Jackie Sturt
- Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, King’s
College London, UK
| | | | - Romaina Iqbal
- Community Health Sciences Department, Aga Khan University, Pakistan
| | | | - Albino Kalolo
- St Francis University College of Health and Allied Sciences,
Tanzania
| | | | - Richard J Lilford
- Institute of Applied Health Research, College of Medical and Dental
Sciences, University of Birmingham, UK
| | - Titus Mashanya
- St Francis University College of Health and Allied Sciences,
Tanzania
| | - Sylvester Ndegese
- St Francis University College of Health and Allied Sciences,
Tanzania
| | - Omar Rahman
- University of Liberal Arts
Bangladesh, Bangladesh
| | - Saleem Sayani
- Aga Khan Development Network Digital Health Resource Centre (Asia
and Africa), Aga Khan University, Pakistan
| | - Rita Yusuf
- Centre for Health, Population and Development, Independent University
Bangladesh, Bangladesh
| | - Frances Griffiths
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, UK
- Centre for Health Policy, University of the Witwatersrand, South
Africa
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49
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Giessler K, Seefeld A, Montagu D, Phillips B, Mwangi J, Munson M, Green C, Opot J, Golub G. Perspectives on implementing a quality improvement collaborative to improve person-centered care for maternal and reproductive health in Kenya. Int J Qual Health Care 2020; 32:671-676. [PMID: 33057658 PMCID: PMC7737155 DOI: 10.1093/intqhc/mzaa130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To understand perspectives and experiences related to participation in a quality improvement collaborative (QIC) to improve person-centered care (PCC) for maternal health and family planning (FP) in Kenya. DESIGN AND SETTING Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with members of the QIC in four public health facilities in Kenya. PARTICIPANTS Clinical and nonclinical public health facility staff who had participated in the QIC were purposively sampled to participate in the semi-structured interviews. INTERVENTION A QIC was implemented across four public health facilities in Nairobi and Kiambu Counties in Kenya to improve PCC experiences for women seeking maternity or FP services. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Semi-structured interviews with participants of the QIC to understand perspectives and experiences associated with sensitization to and implementation of PCC behaviors in maternity and FP services. RESULTS Respondents reported that sensitization to PCC principles resulted in multiple perceived benefits for staff and patients alike, including improved interactions with patients and clients, deeper awareness of patient and client preferences, and improved interpersonal skills and greater job satisfaction. Respondents also highlighted system-level challenges that impeded their ability to consistently provide high-quality PCC to women, namely staff shortages and frequent turnover, high patient volumes and lack of space in their respective health facilities. CONCLUSION Respondents were easily able to articulate perceived benefits derived from participation in this QIC, although they were equally able to identify challenges that hindered their ability to consistently provide high-quality PCC to women seeking maternity or FP services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie Giessler
- Institute for Global Health Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, Mission Hall, Box 1224, 550 16th Street, 3rd Floor, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Avery Seefeld
- Institute for Global Health Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, Mission Hall, Box 1224, 550 16th Street, 3rd Floor, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Dominic Montagu
- Institute for Global Health Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, Mission Hall, Box 1224, 550 16th Street, 3rd Floor, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Beth Phillips
- Institute for Global Health Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, Mission Hall, Box 1224, 550 16th Street, 3rd Floor, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - James Mwangi
- Jacaranda Health, Nairobi, Kenya, Diani Close, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Meghan Munson
- Jacaranda Health, Nairobi, Kenya, Diani Close, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Cathy Green
- Jacaranda Health, Nairobi, Kenya, Diani Close, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - James Opot
- Innovations for Poverty Action, Sandalwood Lane, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Ginger Golub
- Innovations for Poverty Action, Sandalwood Lane, Nairobi, Kenya
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50
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Suchman L, Appleford G, Owino E, Seefeld CA. Bridging the gap with a gender lens: How two implementation research datasets were repurposed to inform health policy reform in Kenya. Health Policy Plan 2020; 35:ii66-ii73. [PMID: 33156938 PMCID: PMC7646722 DOI: 10.1093/heapol/czaa117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Policies as they are written often mask the power relations behind their creation (Hull, 2008). As a result, not only are policies that appear neat on the page frequently messy in their implementation on the ground, but the messiness of implementation, and implementation science, often brings these hidden power relations to light. In this paper, we examine the process by which different data sources were generated within a programme meant to increase access to quality private healthcare for the poorest populations in Kenya, how these sources were brought and analyzed together to examine gender bias in the large-scale rollout of Kenya's National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) beyond public hospitals and civil service employees, and how these findings ultimately were developed in real time to feed into the NHIF reform process. We point to the ways in which data generated for implementation science purposes and without a specific focus on gender were analyzed with a policy implementation analysis lens to look at gender issues at the policy level, and pay particular attention to the role that the ongoing close partnership between the evaluators and implementers played in allowing the teams to develop and turn findings around on short timelines. In conclusion, we discuss possibilities for programme evaluators and implementers to generate new data and feed routine monitoring data into policy reform processes to create a health policy environment that serves patients more effectively and equitably. Implementation science is generally focused on programmatic improvement; the experiences in Kenya make clear that it can, and should, also be considered for policy improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Suchman
- Evaluation Director, Institute for Global Health Sciences, University of California, San Francisco
| | | | | | - Charlotte Avery Seefeld
- Program Coordinator, Institute for Global Health Sciences, University of California, San Francisco
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