ABSTRACT
Origins of user fees : there have been few more fascinating subjects in human history than man's efforts to seek panacea for disease conditions; to nurse the ailing and to prolong life. The first medicine men; through prayer; magic and natural remedies accidentally discovered and made the cornerstone of the present cosmopolitan therapy; otherwise known as the western medicine. It must nevertheless be remembered that efforts for this virtue had to be rewarded either in cash; labour or in kind. It is only a few practitioners like St. Luke; Cornelius and Panellaeu that offered free medical services to people without charging a single coin. Even Hippocrates who lived more than 2000 years ago and who is deemed to be the father of medicine and by whom our doctors are sworn in during their graduation; used to charge his patients. It was only on a few occasions that he could offer free treatment to the indgent; paupers; prisoners etc. User fees for traditional medicine: In Africa; contribution by the direct beneficiaries or their relatives to the traditional medicine is not new either. The Ngozi Society in western Uganda made payments to get local medicine man; in form of a chicken; goat; cow and occasionally in form of human life represent user-financing of health services in this treatise. A study done around Kampala showed that more than 20of people (and this is an underestimate) visit shrines and pay colossal sums of money or equivalent. This category includes people from all walks of life; priests; businessmen and women; politicians; etc