The Impact and Cost-Effectiveness of User Fee Exemption by Contracting Out Essential Health Package Services in Malawi

This journal article examines the impact and cost-effectiveness of user fee examptions by contracting out essential health package services in Malawi. Using service-level agreements to contract out essential services to Christian Health Association of Malawi facilities, researchers observed a increase in coverage of key maternal and child health services, resulting in an estimated 434 lives saved over the study's two year period. While many low- and middle-income countries have moved to abolish user fees to encourage the use of essential maternal and child health services, this study comes at an opportune moment, providing empirical evidence to help inform health and health financing policy in Malawi.