Health financing strategies and performance of health systems in Uganda: A case of selected hospitals in Kampala District

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to examine the impact of health financing strategies on the performance of health systems in selected hospitals in Kampala district basing on the following objectives; to examine the effectiveness of health financing strategies in selected hospitals in Kampala district, to examine the level of performance of health systems in selected hospitals in Kampala district, and to find out the relationship between health financing strategies and performance of health systems in selected hospitals in Kampala district

The study design was cross sectional and quantitative approach was employed. The formula of Krejcie Morgan (1970) was used to determine a sample size of 60. Self-administered questionnaire was designed using five point Likert scale, and they were distributed to staff members. Frequency tables, regression, and correlation coefficient were drawn using Statistical Packages for Social Scientist (SPSS), and analysis made there on. Frequency tables were drawn for objective one and two and correlation coefficient, and regression table were for objective three.

Findings revealed hospitals do not always use objective market and financial data in health financing, does not accurately assess its current strategic and financial position, hospitals always assess the full range of financing options, including non-traditional sources, do not always explore sources of local and state support, do not always ensure use of a structured process for making well-informed partnership decisions, and do not always ensure that the financing team provides independent financial advice. Besides that, the health system in the hospitals always meet the psychological needs of the people it serves, it is not hard to access good facilities in hospitals, poorer patients do not always receive service from less qualified providers with limited-quality services, and there are redundant treatments and increased cost of drugs in the hospital. Nevertheless, there is a strong positive relationship between Health Financing Strategies and Performance of Health Systems at Pearson correlation coefficient r=0.927.