Experience with development aid in the health sector in the last 60 years has shown that aid, in terms of financing inputs, has not resulted in the desired long-term improvements of health outputs. This led to a change in thinking about how best to finance health service delivery, with the concept of "Result Based Financing" (RBF). RBF is a system in which health facilities are payed based on thei
r performance in attaining pre-defined indicators. The idea is that it will provide the incentive for these health facilities to provide results. In these terms, Cordaid functions as the "purchaser" essentially functioning to pay for the performance of the health care facilitators once the indicators are met. Cordaid Zimbabwe has a contract with each health facility in which all the indicators that are to be met are clearly defined.These indicators target both child and maternal health care and once they are achieved, Cordaid Zimbabwe pays each health facility a certain amount for them. For example if a child has all their immunisation up to date, Cordaid Zimbabwe will pay the health facility a certain amount for this. To date, the Zimbabwe RBF Programme has been implemented in 18 different districts: Marondera, Zvishavane, Binga,Nkayi, Kariba, Chegutu, Mutare, Chipinge, Mwenezi, Chiredzi, Mutoko, Chikomba, Gokwe, Gweru, Gwanda, Mangwe, Mazowe, and Centenary Districts of Zimbabwe. The RBF program in Zimbabwe has contributed towards the achievement of the millennium development goals 4 and 5. In the period July to December 2013, the program incentivised the support of more than 2.8 million people mostly mothers and children in 18 districts of Zimbabwe. The Zimbabwean program received additional financing amounting to 20 million United States dollars to support the initial 15 million grant awarded at the start of the program.
