Health Financing

Major barriers that women face in accessing fistula repair services is the cost of transport and a lack of information about treatment options and costs. This project uses a combination of mobile banking, public information, and free treatment in order to give women access to fistula repair. Women can call a free hotline, and if money is needed for transport to a fistula unit this is transferred via M-PESA. Using mobile money services make treatment a reality for women who otherwise would not have been in the socio-economic position to get an operation. More information on this program.

The M-PESA mobile money transfer system is used by the CCBRT Hospital in Tanzania to pay for the transport of women suffering from fistula, children with cleft palates and other disabilities. As a bus ride to the capital is unaffordable for many Tanzanians living in rural areas these people would not be able to access surgical health services without this transfer of charity money to organize transport. CCBRT works with 'ambassadors', often rural health workers, who inform the organization when they identify a woman with fistula. With money transferred via M-PESA, the ambassador buys a bus ticket for the woman and receives a small incentive fee.

The Changamka Medical Smart Card allows people who have no access to medical plans or insurance cover to save money using M-PESA transfers. Savings can be used to pay for primary health care, specified laboratory tests and drugs at pre-contracted prices. In a Public Private Partnership (PPP) Programme with a maternal health clinic, the health savings plan was extended to antenatal, delivery, post natal as well as outpatient care in 2010.