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Examining the implementation of the Linda Mama free maternity program in Kenya

Orangi, Stacey, Kairu, Angela, Ondera, Joanne, Mbuthia, Boniface, Koduah, Augustina, Oyugi, Boniface, Ravishankar, Nirmala, Barasa, Edwine (2021) Examining the implementation of the Linda Mama free maternity program in Kenya. International Journal of Health Planning and Management, 36 (6). pp. 2277-2296. ISSN 0749-6753. E-ISSN 1099-1751. (doi:10.1002/hpm.3298) (KAR id:99003)

Abstract

Background

In 2013, Kenya introduced a free maternity policy in all public healthcare facilities. In 2016, the Ministry of Health shifted responsibility for the program, now called Linda Mama, to the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) and expanded access beyond public sector. This study aimed to examine the implementation of the Linda Mama program.

Methods

We conducted a mixed-methods cross-sectional study at the national level and in 20 purposively sampled facilities across five counties in Kenya. We collected data using in-depth interviews (n = 104), administered patient-exit questionnaires (n = 108), and carried out document reviews. Qualitative data were analysed using a framework approach while quantitative data were analysed descriptively.

Results

Linda Mama was designed and resulted in improved accountability and expand benefits. In practice however, beneficiaries did not access some services that were part of the revised benefit package. Second, out of pocket payments were still being incurred by beneficiaries. Health facilities in most counties had lost financial autonomy and had no access to reimbursements from NHIF for services provided; but those with financial autonomy were able to boost facility revenue and enhance service delivery. Further, fund disbursements from NHIF were characterised by delays and unpredictability. Implementation experiences reveal that there was inadequate communication, claim processing challenges and reimbursement rates were deemed insufficient.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1002/hpm.3298
Uncontrolled keywords: health policy; implementation; maternal health; process evaluation; user fees
Subjects: R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine
Divisions: Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research > Centre for Health Services Studies
Funders: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (https://ror.org/0456r8d26)
Depositing User: George Austin-Coskry
Date Deposited: 08 Dec 2022 10:15 UTC
Last Modified: 04 Mar 2024 18:03 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/99003 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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