Understanding the incremental cost of increasing access to maternal health care services: Perspectives from a Voucher Scheme in Eastern Uganda

Abstract

High maternal and infant mortality continue to be major challenges to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals for many low and middle-income countries. There is now evidence that voucher initiatives can increase access to maternal health services. However, a dearth of knowledge exists on the cost implications of voucher schemes. This paper estimates the incremental costs of a demand and supply side intervention aimed at increasing access to maternal health care services. This research was funded under Department for International Development’s Future Health Systems programme led by Johns Hopkins University