Resource Mobilization for the Health Sector in Zimbabwe

Main conclusion that there is significant scope for more cost recovery, especially if those with insurance were to pay full cost fees. But, being realistic, this will still leave a need to find most (probably over 70%) of resources to found from other sources. The MAS provide insurance similar to that originally offered by the German sickness funds, and can be seen as a type of social insurance. It is clear that such arrangements can be established and can work well for higher income people and people working in the formal sector. It is also clear that it is difficult to expand this into the rest of the population. The system grew up without a strong policy framework, and the status of MAS in law has always be a bit ambiguous. MAS in law has always be a bit ambiguous. MAS are popular with members, and may be a platform for wider development of health insurance. The history of user fees in Zimbabwe shows the common mixture of government desire to provide services free at the point of use, with particular attention paid to ensuring good access for poor people, and the need to provide incentives andraise revenue. Although user fees cannot do more than take a share of the cost of the current provision of health services, it is clear that a larger proportion of costs could be recovered. It is also clear that the current use of services is inefficient, but that more appropriate use of facilities would lead to higher overall costs. [author]