Assessment of free health service provision system in dilla town, South Ethiopia

Background: Access to basic health services of acceptable quality is still denied to many of the world’s poorest people, Identification or application procedure and screening criteria by local kebele administrator for free health services provision at public health facilities are not transparent.
Objective: The aim of the study was to assess free health service delivery system and the extent to which strict criteria are followed in granting free health services to the eligible poor in Dilla town, South Ethiopia.
Materials and method: A cross-sectional study design was conducted in Dilla town, South Ethiopia from November 1-7, 2014.
Results: Forty four percent (n=391) of the respondents were found to be patients’ exempted from fees on the day of interview. The occupation and family size of the respondents showed a statistically significant association with fee waiver granting system at the public health facilities.
Conclusion: Lack of knowledge and awareness about the possibilities of free health service provision to the poor at public health facilities has made the system inaccessible to the users.
Improving awareness and strict fee-waiver mechanism should be implemented in a properly documented manner to address equitable health services to the community.