The Equity Initiative in Mali (IPE). Reducing barriers to use of basic health services: findings on demand supply and quality of care in Sikasso and Bla.

The Equity Initiative in Mali (IPE) aims to address the problem of low utilization of health services in the context of cost recovery that concerns numerous countries in the West Africa region. This publication by the IPE presents the key findings and analyses of the surveys on supply of and demand for basic health services conducted in two pilot sites. A scientific survey methodology was used to collect data from households and providers in the rural district of Bla and the urban commune of Sikasso. Overall the data forms a complex picture of good health care supply and demand one in which cost of care quality geographic location and knowledge of good health care practices by clients are all important factors. The key findings reported include the need for and utilization of health services prices paid for services client satisfaction with care structural quality of care charges for health services and the role of protection mechanisms. Several recommendations for possible interventions to improve the provision and utilization of health care in Mali are cited.