Abstract:

Background: In order to improve the health status of its population and to find practical solutions to the main challenges of the health system, the Government of Cameroon has been implementing the Performance Based Financing approach (PBF) since 2011.

Following the pilot phase from 2011 to 2014, the project produced encouraging results as seen in the use of health facilities by the population, quality improvement and governance in health facilities. The project also enabled the actors involved to learn lessons during its implementation.

Methods: This paper is based on first hand observation carried out by the researcher alongside the ground implementers of the PBF system in the health sector (CDVA South West Region). The group developed some criteria to stimulate improvement in health care, by ensuring payment for greater performance. The group also developed main criteria to measure the improvement in performance which can be translated in monetary terms, coaching was regularly carried out to provide solutions to problems. These activities were carried out between 2011 and 2014 in four health districts of the South West Region of Cameroon.

Results: The paper starts with a discussion, to clarify the core concept of PBF and how the different terms are used. It then develops a framework of on the development of implementation, evaluation, monitoring, coaching and the final results.

Conclusion: The paper brings out a picture of the importance of the PBF system of health financing in the South West Region of Cameroon, showing the pictures of change and the changes in the quality and quantity of health care delivery by health facilities.

Keywords: Performance Based Financing, Monitoring and Evaluation.

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