Role of private health providers in the provision of HIV/AIDS services in Kampala Central

Abstract

The study investigated the role of private health providers in the provision of HIV/AIDS services in Kampala central. Issues of study were staff attitude and care for HIV\AIDS patients, counselling services and creation of patients’ confidence, how payment improves the quality of services provision and the role of existing laboratory facilities in the treatment of HIV/AIDS patients.

The study was analysed using descriptive statistics with the help of the Statistical Package for Social scientists 11.0 (SPSS 11.0) programme. It was analysed along the objectives above.

The findings of the study point out that positive staff attitude leads to good patients care, counselling services build patients confidence, payment for services improves the quality of services and laboratory facilities influence the treatment of HIV/AIDS patients. It is revealed that it is important for health services providers to prioritise the patients’ interests, create confidence in the patients, and have flexible services and adequate laboratory facilities.

The study recommends that medical workers should hold positive attitudes by treating patients with compassion to make them feel sympathy and live comfortably with their health status. There is also need for innovations in order to extend counselling to the patients. Such may include provision of videos and full range of services such outreach activities and home care services at a pocket friendly cost. Private health providers need to have housing units properly designed to accommodate health units. This will enable easy access by patients and deliveries of chemicals and drugs.

The study only investigated the role private providers in the provision of HIV/AIDS. There are many more areas which need to be studied and study recommends research in challenges facing private health providers in the provision of HIV/AIDS services in Uganda, job satisfaction and work attitude of staff in private health centres in Uganda and the relationship between private health centres and public health centres in provision of HIV/AIDS services.