The urban voucher programme being carried out at Mabvuku Poly Clinic since November 2021 is aimed at increasing maternal health access to the disadvantaged communities in Mabvuku through removing the financial barrier.
Mabvuku Poly Clinic conducts urban voucher programme
By Musara Patricia
The urban voucher programme being carried out at Mabvuku Poly Clinic since November 2021 is aimed at increasing maternal health access to the disadvantaged communities in Mabvuku through removing the financial barrier.
Speaking on the programme Hospital Matron Last Mutandwa said potential pregnant beneficiaries are identified by Community Health Workers and a proxy means test is applied by Social Service Officers to determine vulnerability and eligibility status.
"Eligible beneficiaries then purchase the voucher at a nominal fee of ZWL20 to impart a sense of ownership by beneficiaries.
"The voucher gives the beneficiaries access to all maternity services including ambulance services, labour delivery, ceasarean section and post natal care", Mutandwa said.
After all the processes have been done subsidies are then paid to facilities for the quality and quantity indicators and 50 percent is used to avert staff shortages by hiring local midwives to ensure that there is adequate midwives coverage which helps to reduce waiting period of the clients.
The matron also added that the package also comes with the training of midwives in basic emergency management to ensure that the clients receive the best care.
The programme improves the relationship between the community and facility staff and drastically reduces home deliveries, maternal deaths newborn deaths and other pregnancy related complications.
Council is working with various partners among them Cordaid, Ministry of Health and Childcare, The World Bank and City of Bulawayo among others.
