PRELIMINARY STUDIES: Focus group discussions revealed that a lack of funds often contributed to a delay for women receiving treatment for obstetric complications. INTERVENTIONS: Improvements were made in health facilities and transport, then, beginning in 1992, meetings were held to mobilize communities to establish emergency loan funds. Per capita levies were set and repayment was enforced by the most paramount chief of the area. Funds were managed by existing village development committees and loans were granted to women who could not pay hospital bills immediately. RESULTS: Of the six chiefdoms contacted, two successfully established loan funds. Utilization of Bo Government Hospital by women with complications from the two chiefdoms with loan funds increased from five in 1992 to 12 in 1993. Utilization from other chiefdoms remained basically unchanged. Of women from loan fund chiefdoms, half paid their hospital bills in full and one-third paid in part. COSTS: The cost of community mobilization was about US $472. CONCLUSIONS: The establishment of loan funds depended on strong community leadership and required substantial mobilization efforts. Where community loan funds are established, utilization of emergency obstetric care may increase.
PRELIMINARY STUDIES: Focus group discussions revealed that a lack of funds often contributed to a delay for women receiving treatment for obstetric complications. INTERVENTIONS: Improvements were made in health facilities and transport, then, beginning in 1992, meetings were held to mobilize communities to establish emergency loan funds. Per capita levies were set and repayment was enforced by the most paramount chief of the area. Funds were managed by existing village development committees and loans were granted to women who could not pay hospital bills immediately. RESULTS: Of the six chiefdoms contacted, two successfully established loan funds. Utilization of Bo Government Hospital by women with complications from the two chiefdoms with loan funds increased from five in 1992 to 12 in 1993. Utilization from other chiefdoms remained basically unchanged. Of women from loan fund chiefdoms, half paid their hospital bills in full and one-third paid in part. COSTS: The cost of community mobilization was about US $472. CONCLUSIONS: The establishment of loan funds depended on strong community leadership and required substantial mobilization efforts. Where community loan funds are established, utilization of emergency obstetric care may increase.
Authors: Joanna Morrison; Rita Thapa; Aman Sen; Rishi Neupane; Jo Borghi; Kirti Man Tumbahangphe; David Osrin; Dharma Manandhar; Anthony Costello Journal: Community Dev J Date: 2008-08-21
Authors: Zulfiqar A Bhutta; Gary L Darmstadt; Rachel A Haws; Mohammad Yawar Yakoob; Joy E Lawn Journal: BMC Pregnancy Childbirth Date: 2009-05-07 Impact factor: 3.007
Authors: Anne C C Lee; Joy E Lawn; Simon Cousens; Vishwajeet Kumar; David Osrin; Zulfiqar A Bhutta; Steven N Wall; Allyala K Nandakumar; Uzma Syed; Gary L Darmstadt Journal: Int J Gynaecol Obstet Date: 2009-10 Impact factor: 3.561