Research Project

Evaluation of the Impact of User Fees for Preventive Care Services on Health Seeking Behaviour and Coping Strategies of Patients in Jamaica.

Country
- Jamaica

Institutions Involved
- University of West Indies

- Ministry of Health

Project Description
The Ministry of Health implemented user fees in an attempt to build financial sustainability of the system, yet providers in Jamaica are complaining that the poorest sectors of the population have stopped seeking care as a result. While they acknowledge considerable international research on the impact of user fees, the Ministry officials want to see the results of local research before considering altering the policy. Furthermore, they say they need alternative funding sources if they are planning to halt user fees for preventive services.

In response to this situation, the research team has designed a two-part project. First, it tracks utilization of four services—antenatal care, immunization, family planning and management of diabetes and hypertension. It uses both quantitative and qualitative methods to determine who uses them, who does not and why. Second, recognizing the Ministry’s need for additional financial resources to supplement declining budgetary flows from tax sources, the study also applies modeling strategies to examine alternative revenue measures that would not create barriers of access to services.

The research seeks to provide local empirical data to the policymakers that will enable them to replace a current policy with an alternative. The experience will also be of relevance to other Caribbean nations that have implemented similar user fee policies.

Contacts
Wilma Bailey, University of West Indies.
email: wilma.bailey@uwimona.edu.jm

Stanley Lalta, Ministry of Health.
email: laltas@moh.gov.jm