1. Results-based financing for equitable access to maternal and child health care in Mali and Burkina Faso (IMCHA.)

In Mali and Burkina Faso, maternal and child mortality rates remain high. The governments of both countries are trying to increase access to and use of health care services for women and children. They have adopted policies to remove financial barriers and are now piloting results-based financing, which gives financial incentives to providers of health services for achieving predefined indicators. Despite these efforts, health inequalities persist.

This project is contributing to efforts geared towards increasing equitable access to health services for the poor by strengthening the implementation of health reforms in Mali and Burkina Faso. It is examining the emergence, relevance, design, and development of results-based financing in both countries, and studies its implementation, sustainability, and efficacy. It is also looking at the impact of results-based financing on health providers' motivation and teamwork, local leadership, community management committees of health facilities, access to and use of health services, and financial protection of vulnerable populations.

The results of the study will contribute to the knowledge and understanding of decision-makers across Africa as well as international agencies involved in the design and scale-up of results-based financing for maternal and child health.

PROJECT LEADERS
Laurence Touré

INSTITUTIONS
Association de Recherche et de Formation en Enthropologie des Dynamiques Locales

TOTAL FUNDING
CA$ 989,190

2. Interventions to Improve Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health in Mali and Burkina Faso (IMCHA)

Maternal and child mortality rates in Mali and Burkina Faso remain unacceptably high and the use of healthcare services in many parts of both countries is limited. This project focuses on community-level interventions that have the potential to address this priority issue.

Despite a recent increase in the number(AND QUALITY?) of health services provided, there is inadequate coverage for the most poor and vulnerable populations. Strengthening health service delivery includes placing a priority on:

• Increasing access to services
• Improving quality of care
• Ensuring good continuity of care for mothers and children
• Addressing financial and geographic challenges associated with seasonal malaria

In both countries, researchers will assess the impactrole of four interventions on maternal and child morbidity and mortality.

In Mali, the project will evaluate the expansion of village health solidarity units, known as Caisses villageoises de solidarite-sante. The health units address financial and geographic inequities that women face when accessing care. The project team will implement and assess emergency obstetric and neonatal care service protocols at community health centers. They will also create an audit cycle of maternal and neonatal deaths.

In Burkina Faso, researchers will test the use of mobile phone applications in extending information and services to expectant mothers. They will monitor the mother and child through a mobile technology for community health initiative used by site staff in the villages to facilitate communication with the health centers. Their work will also inform the rollout of a large-scale chemoprevention program to address seasonal malaria.

PROJECT LEADERS
Abel Bicaba
Slim Haddad

INSTITUTIONS
Société d'Études et de Recherches en Santé Publique and CHU de Québec - Université Laval
CHU de Québec - Université Laval

INSTITUTIONS WEBSITES
http://www.sersap.org

TOTAL FUNDING
CA$ 999,859