Interventions de subvention du paiement des soins renforcent l'empowerment des communautés au Burkina Faso

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This research project assesses the impact of care subsidy interventions on the empowerment of members of community health services Management Committees (MCs) and their organization in Burkina Faso. PARTICIPANTS: The data collection took place in 2010 in 8 primary care centres over 6 months with 140 people. Location: Three health districts of Burkina Faso (Dori, Sebba and Ouargaye). INTERVENTION: Since 2006, the government subsidizes 80% of emergency neonatal and obstetrical costs for pregnant women. Since 2008, an NGO assumes the remaining 20% and subsidizes 100% of health care costs for children under 5 in Dori and Sebba. In addition, a payment exemption strategy for indigents has been organized at the community level in all three districts. RESULTS: Interventions have strengthened MC members’ and their organization’s power to act. This has translated into an increased capacity to get involved in the resolution of health problems within the community. The NGO’s intervention specifically in Dori and Sebba has led to even greater empowerment there than in Ouargaye. CONCLUSION: Subsidizing care payments at points of service significantly enhances the potential for increasing the empowerment of MC members and their organization.