The Changing Political Undercurrents in Health Services Delivery in Sub-Saharan Africa

2016 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 489-503
Author(s):  
H. E. Ichoku ◽  
A. I. Ifelunini
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Service Delivery ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Universal Coverage ◽  
Health Service Delivery ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Neoliberal Reform ◽  
Services Delivery ◽  
Neoliberal Ideology ◽  
Sub Saharan

This article reviews the changing political undercurrent in health service delivery in Sub-Saharan Africa, chronicling the ideological shift in orientation toward neoliberalism in the health sector, an ideology crafted and introduced into Sub-Saharan Africa by the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. The article examines the implication of this neoliberal reform on the efficiency in health care provision and on the quality and accessibility of health services by the poor and vulnerable. Drawing inference from countries like Nigeria, the authors argue that the ascendency of neoliberalism in the health systems of Sub-Saharan Africa has engendered unethical practices and introduced elements of moral hazard in the health sector, reducing the incentive for governments to develop effective service delivery over the long term. The authors therefore advocate for a rejection of neoliberal ideology in favor of a universal coverage principle if an inclusive health system is to be developed.

The Use of Information and Communication Technologies for Health Service Delivery in Namibia

2010 ◽  
pp. 191-206
Author(s):  
Meke I. Shivute ◽  
Blessing M. Maumbe
Keyword(s):  
Health Service ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Service Delivery ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Health Service Delivery ◽  
Health Service Providers ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Sub Saharan

Information and communication technologies (ICT) have transformed health service delivery (HSD) in developing countries although the benefits are not yet fully understood. This chapter examines the use of ICT for HSD in the Namibian context. To obtain insights into the extent and degree of the current ICT uses, the chapter begins by mapping a HSD landscape for Namibia. The reported ICT use patterns are based on a primary survey of 134 patients and key informant interviews held with 27 health service providers (HSPs) in Khomas and Oshana regions of Namibia. The results from the survey indicate that Namibian patients use diverse range of ICT to access health services including the traditional television and radio, and the more modern mobile phones and computers to a limited extent. HSPs reported the growing use of ICT in various functional areas such as admissions, clinical support, family planning, maternity, and emergency services. The chapter identifies key challenges and policy implications to enhance the uptake of ICT-based health services in Namibia. The relatively high penetration rates of traditional ICT such as televisions and radios coupled with a growing use of mobile phones presents new alternative opportunities for expanding HSD to Namibian patients in remote settings. The chapter will benefit HSP and patients as they decide on affordable technology choices; and policy makers as they design interventions to stimulate the use of ICT in HSD in Namibia. The results provide key insights for other Sub-Saharan African countries contemplating ICT integration in health services.

The Use of Information and Communication Technologies for Health Service Delivery in Namibia

2011 ◽  
pp. 1074-1089
Author(s):  
Meke I. Shivute ◽  
Blessing M. Maumbe
Keyword(s):  
Health Service ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Service Delivery ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Health Service Delivery ◽  
Health Service Providers ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Sub Saharan

Information and communication technologies (ICT) have transformed health service delivery (HSD) in developing countries although the benefits are not yet fully understood. This chapter examines the use of ICT for HSD in the Namibian context. To obtain insights into the extent and degree of the current ICT uses, the chapter begins by mapping a HSD landscape for Namibia. The reported ICT use patterns are based on a primary survey of 134 patients and key informant interviews held with 27 health service providers (HSPs) in Khomas and Oshana regions of Namibia. The results from the survey indicate that Namibian patients use diverse range of ICT to access health services including the traditional television and radio, and the more modern mobile phones and computers to a limited extent. HSPs reported the growing use of ICT in various functional areas such as admissions, clinical support, family planning, maternity, and emergency services. The chapter identifies key challenges and policy implications to enhance the uptake of ICT-based health services in Namibia. The relatively high penetration rates of traditional ICT such as televisions and radios coupled with a growing use of mobile phones presents new alternative opportunities for expanding HSD to Namibian patients in remote settings. The chapter will benefit HSP and patients as they decide on affordable technology choices; and policy makers as they design interventions to stimulate the use of ICT in HSD in Namibia. The results provide key insights for other Sub-Saharan African countries contemplating ICT integration in health services.

scholarly journals Regulation of non-conventional therapies in Portugal: lessons learnt for strengthening human resources in health

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pascoal Amaral ◽  
Inês Fronteira
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Continuous Production ◽  
Universal Coverage ◽  
Health Service Delivery ◽  
Health Policies ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
Defining Moment ◽  
Health Services Delivery ◽  
Minimum Quality Standards ◽  
Services Delivery

Abstract Background The integration of non-conventional therapies (NCT) into health policies and health services delivery is a worldwide trend and might have a role in achieving Universal Health Coverage. WHO has encouraged countries to integrate NCT into health service delivery and to increase the interest and utilization by consumers. Following two resolutions by the European Parliament and by the Council of Europe, in the late 1990s, recommending the recognition of NCT and calling for EU legislation on non-conventional forms of medicine, Portugal initiated, in 2003, its path towards regulation of NCT. We analyze this process and discuss its implications and impacts in terms of health policies, health services delivery and overall health workforce. Case presentation The need to regulate NCT in Portugal stemmed from a growing demand for NCT (and acceptability) among lay citizens and a positive attitude among conventional health professionals which also advocated for a regulatory framework. Political efforts undertaken since 2003 allowed for important advances in the regulation of NCT, beneficiating safe professional practices, and ensuring future academic training at the highest standards, with the defining moment of the social and legal model transition occurring in 2013, when acupuncture, chiropractic, homeopathy, naturopathy, osteopathy, phytotherapy and traditional Chinese Medicine were recognized and regulated. Nevertheless, and because the process knew important time gaps, significant deficiencies arose, mainly between regulation of the training and of the professional activities and the capacity to ensure the continuous production of NCT professionals at an acceptable rate and with minimum quality standards guaranteed. Conclusions The regulation of NCT in Portugal was lengthy but steady and was able to bring consumers a safer practice environment and NCT professionals a legal and deontological umbrella for their training, practice, and professional development. Nevertheless, and despite the growing acceptability and normative quality assurance of NCT and its workforce, the regulation process has highlighted some fragilities in terms of accessibility and availability that need attention and urgent action to achieve universal coverage.

Factors Influencing Utilization of Health Services in Kenya: The Case of Homa Bay County

2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Odiwuor Otieno ◽  
David Macharia
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Service Delivery ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Health Service Delivery ◽  
District Health ◽  
Utilization Of Health Services ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
The Government

In order to improve efficiency in health service delivery in Kenya, the Ministry of Health has developed structures through inter-sectoral collaboration at various levels. Despite efforts by the government and key stakeholders to improve health sector, utilization of health services still remains a major challenge. The purpose of the study was to investigate factors that influence utilization of health services in Homa Bay County, Kenya. The study employed survey design and focused on health beneficiaries, District Health Management Team and other key health stakeholders, and used both quantitative and qualitative data. Quantitative data was collected through household interviews of 384 respondents and qualitative data was generated through Key Informant Interviews of 16 respondents. The study reveals that health financing, service delivery, quality, accessibility and equity influence utilization of health services in Homa Bay County. It is for these reasons that the study recommends that the government should allocate adequate budget towards health services, avail adequate trained health workers, and improve infrastructure in health facilities as well as drugs and other supplies. There is also need for further research on cultural factors influencing utilization of health services.

scholarly journals The role of ‘hidden’ community volunteers in community-based health service delivery platforms: examples from sub-Saharan Africa

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 27214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie Leon ◽  
David Sanders ◽  
Wim Van Damme ◽  
Donela Besada ◽  
Emmanuelle Daviaud ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Service ◽  
Service Delivery ◽  
Health Service Delivery ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Community Volunteers ◽  
Sub Saharan

scholarly journals Factors Influencing Utilization of Health Services in Kenya: The Case of Homa Bay County

2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 213
Author(s):  
Stephen Odiwuor Otieno ◽  
David Macharia
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Service Delivery ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Health Service Delivery ◽  
District Health ◽  
Utilization Of Health Services ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
The Government

In order to improve efficiency in health service delivery in Kenya, the Ministry of Health has developed structures through inter-sectoral collaboration at various levels. Despite efforts by the government and key stakeholders to improve health sector, utilization of health services still remains a major challenge. The purpose of the study was to investigate factors that influence utilization of health services in Homa Bay County, Kenya. The study employed survey design and focused on health beneficiaries, District Health Management Team and other key health stakeholders, and used both quantitative and qualitative data. Quantitative data was collected through household interviews of 384 respondents and qualitative data was generated through Key Informant Interviews of 16 respondents. The study reveals that health financing, service delivery, quality, accessibility and equity influence utilization of health services in Homa Bay County. It is for these reasons that the study recommends that the government should allocate adequate budget towards health services, avail adequate trained health workers, and improve infrastructure in health facilities as well as drugs and other supplies. There is also need for further research on cultural factors influencing utilization of health services.

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