[stop-imf] Report: User Fees Undermine Health

[Robert Weissman]

Save the Children has today released an important report at the World
Health Assembly in Geneva. Titled the "Bitterest Pill of All: The Collapse
of Africa's Health Systems," the report is very critical of the effects of
structural adjustment and particularly user fees on healthcare in Africa.

Excerpts from its executive summary:

* "Direct charges (user fees) for health services, promoted by the World
Bank and UNICEF have led to a decline in the use of maternity and other
health services in the poorest communities, contributing to a rise
in infant deaths and putting women's health at risk."

* "Income from user fees contributes less than 5% of the cost of health
care in most African countries and high administration and running costs
may soak up around 40-60% of any revenues raised."

* "Health facilities which over-rely on user fees for their running costs
cannot collect revenues in times of economic hardship and are forced toc
lose, making services unsustainable."

A pdf version of the full report is available at:

http://www.savethechildren.org.uk/pressrels/180501.html

-- 
Robert Weissman	<rob@essential.org>
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