Marcroeconomic adjustment policies and their effect on health in Kenya

Article type
Authors
Oduwo R, Mohammed A, Opondo F, Kombe Y, Okello W, Ondolo H
Abstract
Abstract: Kenya is one of the four African countries that have been implementing this study. The study seeks to investigate the impact of Macroeconomic Adjustment Policies have had on the health care systems. The study began in March 1998 and has collected data on national, health facility and household levels. A standard instrument was developed by the IDRC for use by all the countries, tested and adopted by the team of seven Kenyan researchers. The multidisciplinary team was made up of research scientist from various research institutions. This paper discusses some of the results of the study, in particular the effect that the adoption of these policies have had on various social and health indicators in Kenya. Generally, all the indicators have worsened and the debate is open on what has caused this. The results of the household study generally shows that people's ability to pay for services has been affected by the policies. The health system study also shows reduced expenditure on health, which seems to have affected outcomes.