Analysis of service delivery standards in the public health sector in Uganda: A case study of Jinja Regional Referral Hospital

Abstract

This study analysed service delivery standards in the public health sector in Uganda, particularly in Jinja regional referral hospital. The objectives of the study were to assess the current service delivery standards at the hospital, examine factors that influence service delivery standards and devise strategies to enhance service delivery standards at Jinja regional referral hospital. The main instruments of the research were a questionnaire that was distributed to the employees of Jinja regional referral hospital and the interviews which were conducted among five key informants of the study. A sample of 165 respondents was selected and out of these 130 responded giving a response rate of 78%. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected. The data gathered was analysed using SPSS programme, percentages were also used to analyse the data which was presented using charts, tables and figures. The findings revealed key indicators for analysing effective service delivery at Jinja regional referral hospital as comprehensive range of services offered, accessibility, coverage, monitoring and inspections, quality of services, patient centeredness, active coordination as well as accountability and efficiency. This was attributed to a significant relationship between the facility services delivery and the mentioned indicators with a 95% confidence level. Major factors affecting service delivery standards at the health facility were human resources, infrastructure and development, government funding, adequate supply of medicines, equipment/tools for health workers as well as management and administration. It is therefore recommended that government should fill all approved staff positions while hospital management should organize regular skill trainings for all employees. Government should also consider revising staff remunerations and critically intervene on boosting hospital funding. Health supplies inadequacies should be addressed and health workers should be facilitated with adequate equipment and tools.