# The impact of a reproductive health voucher in Uganda using a quasi-experimental matching design

## TL;DR

A voucher program in Uganda improved newborn survival by providing subsidized access to reproductive health services for poor pregnant women.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates a significant reduction in infant mortality using a quasi-experimental matching design in a real-world setting.

## Key findings

- The voucher project reduced infant mortality by over 65%.
- Newborn survival rates were 5.4 percentage points higher in the treatment group.
- The program provided access to antenatal, delivery, and postnatal services for vulnerable pregnant women.

## Abstract

This study assesses the impact of a voucher project that targeted vulnerable and poor pregnant women in Uganda. Highly subsidised vouchers gave access to a package of safe delivery services consisting of four antenatal visits, safe delivery, one postnatal visit, the treatment and management of selected pregnancy-related medical conditions and complications, and emergency transport. Vouchers were sold during the project’s operational period from 2016 to 2019. This study covers 8 out of 25 project-benefiting districts in Uganda and a total of 1,881 pregnancies, including both beneficiary and non-beneficiary mothers. Using a matching design, the results show a positive effect on the survival of new-born babies. The difference in the survival rate between the control group and the treatment group is 5.4% points, indicating that the voucher project reduced infant mortality by more than 65 per cent.