Showing papers by "David E. Sahn published in 1995"
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present econometric estimates of in almost ideal demand system (AIDS) for households in Maputo, Mozambique, and develop a multi-market model to show that imported yellow maize is not only self-targeting, but also owing to a combination of the low cross-price elasticity with locally produced staples (particularly, white maize) and cross-border trade in food products, the disincentive effects on domestic agriculture have been negligible.
46 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the economic, institutional and human consequences of an employment reduction program in the West African state of Guinea and found that the human costs of the programme were significant due to long spells of unemployment among retrenched workers.
Abstract: Public sector employment reduction programmes have become an important component of economic reform efforts in sub‐Saharan Africa. This article examines the fiscal, institutional and human consequences of an employment reduction programme in the West African state of Guinea. While fiscal benefits appear to have been marginal and compensation schemes well targeted, the human costs of the programme were significant due to long spells of unemployment among retrenched workers.
27 citations
01 Jan 1995
TL;DR: In this article, the authors consider whether and how structural adjustment in sub-Saharan Africa has changed the level and nature of state involvement in the health care system and whether structural adjustment has led to changes in the intersectoral allocation of health budgets.
Abstract: This chapter in a book on health sector reform (making health development sustainable) in developing countries considers whether and how structural adjustment in sub-Saharan Africa has changed the level and nature of state involvement in the health care system. After an introduction the paper opens by presenting a definition of "adjustment" (efforts to achieve improvements in economic efficiency through the rationalization of resource allocation) and a discussion of where adjustment is expected to impact the health sector (improving the quality and quantity of services the economic well-being of households and the atmosphere for private sector provision of health care). The remainder of the chapter is concerned with the public sectors direct role in the health care system. The role of state intervention is explored with a focus on the unique fiscal restructuring process in Africa. The next consideration is whether structural adjustment has led to changes in the intersectoral allocation of health budgets. Difficulties are noted in determining how much money is allocated to primary versus secondary and preventive versus curative services. Policy and institutional issues that constrain the public health system are identified as part of a discussion of various reforms (decentralization privatization local initiatives essential drugs programs cost recovery and user fee schemes and personnel management and administration) instituted by African governments. It is concluded that structural adjustment in most African countries has not led to reductions in the size of the health sector budget. However the health sector still faces serious budgetary constraints that are exacerbated by high population growth rates. Reform efforts give cause for hope but are difficult to achieve in African countries. Donors must improve chances for reform success by working with nongovernmental organizations and communities.
24 citations
TL;DR: In this article, an analysis of survey data reveals that even households that possess ration cards are mainly reliant on parallel markets, instead of the ration system, for their purchases, and that market liberalization, including eliminating rationing, will at worst be neutral for the poor, and more likely be beneficial since the treasury will capture the rents associated with rationing that presently accrue to traders and parastatals.
17 citations
TL;DR: This paper concludes that structural adjustment programs in Africa did not reduce public health expenditures, and in fact, many countries experienced higher real expenditures after adjustment.
14 citations
01 Jan 1995
3 citations
Posted Content•
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present econometric estimates of in almost ideal demand system (AIDS) for households in Maputo, Mozambique, and develop a multi-market model to show that imported yellow maize is not only self-targeting, but also owing to a combination of the low cross-price elasticity with locally produced staples (particularly, white maize) and cross-border trade in food products, the disincentive effects on domestic agriculture have been negligible.
Abstract: The use of food aid in poverty alleviation programs has been hampered by two problems: the inability to target to households in need, and the disincentive effects on agriculture. In this paper, we present econometric estimates of in Almost Ideal Demand System (AIDS) for households in Maputo, Mozambique, and develop a multi-market model to show that in Maputo, imported yellow maize is not only self-targeting, but that owing to a combination of the low cross-price elasticity with locally produced staples (particularly, white maize) and cross-border trade in food products, the disincentive effects on domestic agriculture have been negligible.
1 citations