health care financing

The research evaluates the direct facility funding (DFF) pilot scheme in the Kenyan Coast Province. It aims to explore the implementation and perceived impact of DFF at health centres and dispensaries. The focus is on these types of facilities because they are most used by poor rural households, and direct funding mechanisms have not been used before at this level.

The report is available on the CREHS website, www.crehs.lshtm.ac.uk.

Achieving equity is a major goal of health systems worldwide. The overall aim of this study is to identify the major equity challenges facing the Kenyan health system and to explore how different health insurance designs can address existing inequities. It involves conducting financing and benefit incidence analysis using nationally representative data and case studies. Policy analysis to asses stakeholder' attitudes towards different health insurance design options will be conducted to understand the political acceptability of health insurance mechanisms in Kenya. The information gathered from this study will form the basis for considering alternative approaches to health insurance in Kenya and for monitoring progress towards an equitable Kenyan health system.