Cambodia Health Equity Funds

Overview and Objectives

URC developed a national strategy and surveillance system to ensure that those meeting poverty criteria have access to high-quality health services. The system provided access to Health Equity Funds (HEFs), a funding mechanism that gives vulnerable populations access to health services. Sought to ensure that those eligible had access to affordable quality health services. The project emphasized increased use of the health services by the poor and mitigated the effects of infectious disease epidemics and of malnutrition.

Objectives were:

• Achieve and maintain universal coverage of at-risk populations with proven vector control and case management interventions, while promoting the testing of new tools and approaches
• Strengthen the malaria surveillance system to comprehensively monitor progress and inform the deployment and targeting of appropriate responses and strategies
• Enhance technical and operational capacity of the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) and other health service providers at all levels of service provision
• Promote the involvement of communities, private healthcare providers, private companies and state-owned enterprises in malaria control and elimination initiatives

Achievements

• HEFs in 25 of Cambodia’s 76 operational districts supported 20% of all hospitalizations in the public health system
• More than 70% of women covered by HEFs delivered at hospitals or health centers compared to 40% in areas without HEF coverage