|
KMET in partnership with Medical Credit Fund, Amsterdam initiated the private medical credit fund (MCF) program in 2010 to improve the quality of health care services thru’ provision of affordable loans to the private health sector in western Kenya.
- The private health sector in Kenya provides about 50% of all care to patients much as in other sub-Saharan countries
- People turn to the private health sector because the public sector is often overburdened
- However, the private sector lacks access to capital due to poor qualification levels and cost of capital
MCF Program sites in western Kenya: Kisumu, Kitale, Kisii, Siaya, Bungoma, Nakuru and Kakamega,
The Process
Identification of health facility:
Health facilities are selected using the snowball method. The already existing KMET network members identify other health facilities with potentials to offer quality and affordable health care services but who haven’t joined the KMET network yet. The facilities which already belong to KMET network and already providing integrated health services are issued with the eligibility criteria to ensure they meet the basic requirements before being recruited into the MCF network. They then sign with KMET a participation agreement which outlines the role of KMET as the TA organization and the facility in the MCF program. They further identify themselves with the eligibility criteria before filling in a self assessment form which enable them to identify the gaps that need improvement to achieve optimum quality of health care services. If a facility visited meets the standards required in the eligibility criteria they are facilitated to conduct a process of self assessment.
Business planning & Quality plan development:
The proprietors are then offered technical support to develop SMART business plans and quality upgrade plans to suit their facility needs before approval of loans
Entry loan provision:
After enrollment and submission of the facility assessment forms from the health facilities, the proprietors are issued with entry loans of up to a maximum Euro 4,000 to help them meet their immediate demands in the health facility and assess their financial credibility.
Training:
The participants are trained on quality improvement and business. The training cost is shared between the participants and KMET for sustainability of the program. The goal of the training is to empower health providers on business planning and quality improvement.
Achievements by June 2011
- 4 facilities of Phase 1 have received medium loans totaling to 8.7 million shillings
- 13 facilities in Phase 2 have received entry loans amounting to 4.4 million shillings
- 2 facilities are in the process of completing the loan application procedures with MCF
|
