Abstract

Purpose: To study the feasibility of conditional cash transfer (CCT) programmes for neonatal referral services. Methods: This prospective observational study has been conducted at a referral hospital in a rural area over five months. The newborns were referred by the primary health centre (PHC), located 5 km from the referral centre, and 50 km from the district headquarters. The PHC area has 38 villages with a total population of 60,000. Forty percent of people are tribal, and 30% are below the poverty line. Approximately 20% of the PHC area is very remote, and the terrain is hilly. The subjects of the study were 30 consecutive high-risk newborns referred from the designated PHC area.