Sexual and reproductive health and rights
Using mobile finance to reimburse sexual and reproductive health vouchers in Madagascar
Using mobile phone-based money transfer systems for maternal health
Authors:
N. Corby (ed)
Publisher:
Marie Stopes International , 2011
This case study presents programmatic lessons from Marie Stopes Madagascar’s integration of a mobile phone SMS money transfer system and voucher programme. In October 2010, Marie Stopes Madagascar established a voucher programme to offer clients subsidised family planning services made available at Marie Stopes social franchisee centres. A mobile phone SMS money transfer system was used by social franchisees (in place of traditional payment methods) to reimburse service providers on verification of the voucher.
The voucher programme demonstrated that SMS money transfer systems can successfully reimburse health service providers in remote, rural and urban settings. In addition, the Marie Stopes online database, (which supports the SMS money transfer system), significantly improves the tracking of vouchers, helps to monitor the distribution of vouchers by community workers and helps to monitor the participation of social franchisees in its voucher programme.
This case study describes the implementation process; identifies the challenges Marie Stopes Madagascar faced and how these were overcome; and concludes with recommendations for the strategic integration of SMS money transfer systems in future voucher programmes.
Organisations and programme managers implementing this model of reimbursement are encouraged to consider the following recommendations:
- programme managers should conduct a thorough analysis of mobile phone use amongst targeted end-users, the coverage of the SMS money transfer systems available and any supporting infrastructure to ensure that all end-users have access to this method of reimbursement
- programme managers should undertake a comprehensive cost/benefit analysis of the SMS money transfer systems available to ensure that this method of reimbursement is cost-efficient and sustainable
- programme managers should develop clear technical specifications for the supporting database
- all team members involved in completing or overseeing the reimbursement process should receive comprehensive training in reimbursement and the supporting database. All end-users should also receive comprehensive training and ongoing support
- programme managers should ensure that endusers do not need to submit lengthy codes by SMS to obtain reimbursement. Programme managers should obtain a toll-free number so that end-users can submit reimbursement claims without incurring unreasonable costs. All final payments should be made using a computer to limit data entry mistakes and so that payments can be easily tracked
