Assessing the elimination of user fees for delivery services in Laos

摘要: A pilot eliminating user fees associated with delivery at the point of services was introduced in two districts Laos March 2009. Following years implementation, an evaluation conducted to assess impact, as well document design and implementation challenges. Study results show that, even presence substantial access cultural barriers, health facilities act a serious deterrent care seeking behavior. We find tripling facility-based rates intervention areas, compared 40% increase control areas. While findings from region suggest that may be on rise across country, substantially higher areas highlight impact financial burden fees. These can play important role rapidly increasing uptake facility reach national targets and, ultimately, improve maternal child outcomes. The achieved gains while relying heavily capacity systems already place. However, high cost monitoring broad-scale expansion activities is likely necessitate targeted building initiatives, especially limited district level manage funds deliver detailed timely reports.