RBF benefits 28k under privileged, expecting mothers in Bulawayo

Bulawayo (New Ziana)-More than 28 000 mothers have given birth for free at Bulawayo City Council health facilities since 2014 under the Results Based Financing (RBF) voucher system for those less privileged, an official said Wednesday.

Bulawayo City health director Dr Edwin Sibanda-Mzingwane told journalists who are on a tour of the RBF programs that the council is implementing the voucher system, which covers all pregnancy related services including ceasarian delivery for those who may get complicated.

It is also using RBF funds to buy infrastructure and upgrade equipment upgrades, procurement of medicines and sundries as well as paying incentives for health workers.

The programme was introduced to complement the Results Based Financing (RBF) programme which is jointly funded by the government of Zimbabwe and the World Bank and implemented by Cordaid, an emergency relief organisation.

Providing free maternal, newborn and child health services for the poor, the programme was launched in 2014 as a pilot project in five wards of Nkulumane district in Bulawayo as well as Mbare and Hopley wards in
Harare’s southern district.

The areas were chosen because of their large populations with the aim of improving access to health services through providing vouchers for antenatal, delivery and post-natal services.

Dr Sibanda- Mzingwane said the city is now offering RBF voucher system at it’s 14 facilities with the hope of ensuring that women get quality service when they are pregnant and they also book on time and that they
deliver in health facilities.

They are also funded when referred to Mpilo Central Hospital for management of pregnancy complications.

“Some women could not afford to pay the fees that were demanded by the clinics. Our charges then were $30 for the whole antenatal care package and some women were struggling to get that money and therefore presented late at clinics for delivery.

“We initially started with seven clinics but over time we started adding other clinics. As we speak we now have 14 clinics in the program and all our four maternity clinics are in there. The bookings by pregnant mothers went up and the home deliveries went down.

“A total of 26 380 women enrolled on the programme in 2014 up to the end of 2022 in Bulawayo. Enrolling is half the story, there is also attendance. There is also delivering in our facilities or transfer to
Mpilo,” he said.

A visit to some of the city’s facilities showed that the staff were keen to help pregnant women while the clinics were also maintained.

Ntombezinhle Msipha, sister in charge of Bulawayo’s Nkulumane clinic said the number of women getting care under the voucher system has risen since it’s inception in 2014.

“In 2014, on average for antenatal services this clinic was booking
around 50 to 60 patients per month but at peak, the program saw us
booking around 200 women per month which means the voucher system is
working very well.

“We have also done a lot in terms of infrastructure and furniture and
incentives for staff as Nkulumane clinic our workers are motivated to
work because of incentives from RBF.There is a bit of an influx of
patients at this clinic but because of motivation, our staff offer
everyone quality service,” she said.

At Maqhawe clinic, they are getting RBF funds which enabled them to
renovate the facility, buy medicines , furniture and for maternal
services voucher system.

“Our women are very happy,” said sister in charge Bokani Maphosa.

New Ziana