Reviewing procurement system in the Holy Family Hospital, Techiman, Ghana
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Date
2005-11-08
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Abstract
Provision of health services in developing country is saddled with a myriad of problems, prominent among them is procurement. Procurement is an especially critical concern in the developing and transitional economies where public resources are already scarce coupled with mismanagement and corruptions. These obstruct provision of high quality service culminating in high mortalities. These most often are avoidable. What is required is probably readily availability of appropriate resources; both material and human. Apparently, efficient procurement system is critically needed to improve service delivery, especially, in the health sector.
A case study of Techiman Holy Family Hospital was therefore undertaken to assess the methods and processes employed in the procurement of health sector goods. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were employed. A sample size of 23 was purposively selected for data collection using, interviews, questionnaire and discussions. With a help of checklists observation was carried out at two stores in the Hospital.
The study confirmed among other things, that only 5% of the drugs and non-drug consumables purchased from the Regional Medical Stores, the other sources of procurement by the hospital for drugs and non-drug consumables are the Diocesan Health Pharmacy and the open market. It was further revealed that there are no controls in the distribution of goods distributed to the various departments. Moreover, apart from the Administrator of the hospital, none of the staff is conversant with the Procurement Procedure Manual of the Ministry of Health.
Although the hospital seems to be doing well for procuring most of the drugs and non-drug consumables now, the current situation questions its sustainability. Consequently, it is recommended more training, and recruitment stock control experts amidst strict adherence to the Procurement Procedure Manual are critical to ensure continuous provision of efficient services to their clients.
Description
A thesis submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, Kwame
Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana Master in
partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of
of Science in Health Services Planning
and Management, 2005