Ways forward

The evidence discussed on the Experiences page suggests that, in the forms in which they have been tried, user fees have rarely achieved the equity, efficiency or sustainability objectives that were set out for them. But what should be done about them?

This page addresses the following questions:

• should user fees be abolished?
• if so, then what is the best way to abolish them?
• if they are kept, how should user fee systems be designed and implemented?
• what stance should donors take?

A final section concludes.