cham

Through the Health Service Joint Fund, the HEPU conducted the value for money evaluation for CHAM SLA. The Christian Health Association of Malawi (CHAM) is a faith-based health care provider in Malawi. Government of Malawi (GoM) has implemented Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with CHAM since 2006 under which an essential health package was provided for populations in rural areas with no user fees and the CHAM facilities are reimbursed on a fee-for-service basis, with a block grant for health worker salaries.

While evidence suggests that SLAs increase service utilization and expand health care access, there was a gap in the literature on SLA efficiency and value-for-money. The evaluation was aimed at aimed at inquire the CHAM SLA value-for-money to directly inform the MoU negotiations.

The evaluation answered 3 questions, on HR Block Grant, Fee for Service and SLA Reimbursement Price. It used different methodology to answer each question.
The evaluation found that the Government saves on commodities and infrastructure from contracting CHAM facilities. It however identified slightly higher prices in some commodities.