Microfinance investments in quality at private clinics in Uganda: a case-control study

Eric E Seiber,Amara L Robinson

doi:10.1186/1472-6963-7-168

Eric E Seiber, Amara L Robinson

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6963-7-168

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Abstract

BackgroundSmall private-sector health care providers can play an important role in meeting the developing country health care needs, but a lack of credit can prove major constraint to small-provider expansion. This study examines the potential of small, microfinance loans to strengthen the private health sector and improve access to quality preventive and curative health services in Uganda.MethodsThis study estimates logistic regressions using 2,387 client exit interviews to assess the impact of microfinance loans on perceived quality and the viability and sustainability of small, private clinics.ResultsThe study finds perceived quality improved with loan recipients' clients being more likely to choose clinics on the basis of drug availability, fair charges, cleanliness, and confidentiality. In addition, the assessment found evidence of increased client flows, but the changes produced mixed results for sustainability with respondents being only half as likely to "always" visit a particular clinic.ConclusionThe results indicate that the microfinance program improved perceived quality at loan recipient clinics, especially as reliable drug outlets.

Highlights

Small private-sector health care providers can play an important role in meeting the developing country health care needs, but a lack of credit can prove major constraint to smallprovider expansion
For several years the Ugandan government has recognized that small private-sector health care providers – including pharmacists, nurses, midwives, and doctors – can play an important role in meeting the country's health care needs, but a lack of credit has been a major constraint to smallprovider expansion [1]
Since the comparison clinics provide the reference point for measuring program impact, the first table examines the intervention and comparison clinics at baseline to assess the validity of making comparisons between these two groups

Summary

Introduction

Small private-sector health care providers can play an important role in meeting the developing country health care needs, but a lack of credit can prove major constraint to smallprovider expansion. For several years the Ugandan government has recognized that small private-sector health care providers – including pharmacists, nurses, midwives, and doctors – can play an important role in meeting the country's health care needs, but a lack of credit has been a major constraint to smallprovider expansion [1]. To address this lack of credit, the Uganda Private Providers Loan Fund was launched to provide microfinance loans and technical assistance to these small private-sector providers. Little is known about microcredit's potential applications with small develop-

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