MOMCARE - Merck For Mothers

This animation was produced for New Jersey based charity Merck For Mothers by Matter Unlimited. MomCare is a new initiative to help with the financial barriers faced by many mothers in low and middle income countries such as Kenya.

One big barrier to accessing care during pregnancy and childbirth is cost. Most Kenyans pay out of pocket for their health care because they have no insurance. “Many children come when there is no money,” says Marlene Atieno, a 37-year-old mother of two from Dandora, a Nairobi suburb. “That’s why most women opt to give birth in their houses — because they cannot pay the hospital.”

A new system seeks to address this issue while also ensuring that the care women receive is high quality. Called MomCare, it is a digital platform where costs can be covered in full or in part by a third party payer, including universal healthcare coverage schemes. Payments are linked to service delivery; interactions are transparent and predictable. And the system holds providers accountable by rewarding those who deliver quality services, whether at a public or private facility.

Animation: Hend & Lamiaa

Sound Design & Music: Patrick Henchman Audio

More Information: merckformothers.com/momcare