Inequalities in Healthcare Spending on Curative Services: Evidence from Malawi

Both public spending and overall spending on curative services have become more egalitarian in Malawi with the rollout of Universal Health Coverage policies across the country. The findings reveal increased equality in public spending, but not in overall spending on healthcare. For example, at the level of the not-for-profit Christian Health Association (CHAM) facilities, the distribution of benefits in 2017 still favor the least poor. While differences between districts in the distribution of public and overall benefits persist, they have become considerably smaller over time. Further policy action is needed to tackle persistent causes of inequality and to reduce district differences.