Box 1.

Example of the consequences of the extra fees paid by households for medication

The woman arrived at the health centre around 1:00 p.m. and was evacuated at around 8 p.m. to the district hospital for prolonged dystocic labour. After an unsuccessful attempt at forceps delivery, she underwent a caesarean at 11:00 p.m. After surgery, she developed an infection, not responsive for many days to several antibiotics. She also received three blood transfusions for anaemia. While the household did not have to pay for food and transportation, treatment at the health centre cost 6,000 FCFA (13 USD) and at the district hospital, 350,000 FCFA (742 USD)