TITLE:
Functionality of Primary Health Facilities Management Teams: Learning from 2017/2018’s Tanzania Star Rating Assessment
AUTHORS:
Syabo M. Mwaisengela, Joseph C. Hokororo, Chrisogone J. German, Erick S. Kinyenje, Radenta P. Bahegwa, Talhiya A. Yahya, Mohamed A. Mohamed, Omary A. Nassoro, Ruth R. Ngowi, Yohannes S. Msigwa, Mbwana M. Degeh, Laura E. Marandu, Bush N. Lugoba, Edwin C. Mkwama, Lilian D. Lyakurwa, Alpha E. Cholobi, Michael Habtu, Eliudi S. Eliakimu
KEYWORDS:
Primary Health Care, Star Rating Assessment, Universal Health Coverage, Health Facility Management Teams, Health System Management
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Service Science and Management,
Vol.16 No.2,
April
25,
2023
ABSTRACT: Background: Having a proper health system management with
skilled health managers has been shown to be
an important foundation for a high-quality health system. Primary Health Care (PHC) is important in ensuring the achievement
of universal health
coverage. To achieve this objective, it is important to strengthen the management of PHC facilities. This study aims
at ascertaining the functionality of Health Facility Management Teams (HFMTs)
in PHC facilities in the context of Star Rating Assessment (SRA) in Tanzania. Methods: This is a quantitative
secondary data analysis using the SRA re-assessment data collected in the fiscal year 2017/18. HFMTs
functionality was measured by the desirable
performance of four indicators, namely availability of the HFMTs, formal
appointment of HFMTs, regular meeting of HMT and quarterly meetings
conducted. The proportions were compared by using proportion Z and chi-square tests. Results: This
study involved 5933 PHC facilities, the majority of which
were dispensaries (87.6%), rural located (78.3%) and public owned (77.2%).
On average, 23.3% of HFMTs were functional. Among health facilities located in urban
areas, 27.7% (95% C.I = 25.3% - 30.2%)
had functional HFMTs which is significantly higher than rural located with 22.1% (95% C.I = 20.9% - 23.3%)
(P -owned
PHC facilities had 23.4% (95% C.I = 22.2% - 24.7%)
of health facilities with functional HFMTs which is insignificantly
different from 22.8% (95% C.I = 20.6% - 25.0%) of privately owned (P = 0.63). 47.5% of hospitals at the council level have functional HFMTs which is significantly higher compared to
health centers (32.2%) and dispensaries (21.8%) (P Conclusions: Non-functionality of HFMTs is
a challenge in PHC facilities
in Tanzania. The challenge is more pronounced in rural located health
facilities and lower-level PHC facilities (dispensaries). Measures including management and leadership training and mentorships
are to be taken to enhance HFMTs functionality in these facilities.