MSI voucher scheme protects sexual health of Uganda’s poor

Kampala - Marie Stopes Uganda is spearheading an innovative new voucher scheme to help thousands of poor Ugandans in the southwestern district of Mbarara enjoy a life free from sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

With financial support from Germany's KfW Entwicklungsbank, MS Uganda distributes Healthy Life vouchers in more than 120 poor communities. Each voucher entitles the holder to comprehensive STI treatment services at quality private health clinics across Mbarara. More than 21,216 vouchers have been redeemed to date.

In this pilot phase, MS Uganda has trained and accredited 18 private and nongovernmental (NGO) providers to offer quality services to voucher holders. Private providers then claim back the costs of those services through MS Uganda’s operating partner, Microcare Health Insurance.

The MS Uganda team is now working to build on the success of this pilot phase. A pending agreement with KfW and the World Bank’s Global Programme on Output Based Aid (GPOBA) will provide further funding to expand distribution of the vouchers through 2011.

Under the new agreement, MS Uganda plans to also distribute more than 100,000 vouchers for pregnant women to access comprehensive safe delivery services at approved private maternity clinics across the region. The scheme will specifically target low-income populations, who are most likely to experience potentially fatal complications in childbirth.

MSI's programme in Uganda