Practices and Challenges of Private Wing in Addis Ababa Hospitals
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2016-06
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Private wings have been implemented on a small scale within Ethiopian public hospitals.
These ‘differentiated amenities’ involve the provision of better services to patients who,
under a fee-for-service reimbursement mechanisms, pay out-of-pocket or through medical
insurance. The public sector objectives for these wings include retention of highly qualified
health personnel, additional revenue generation as well as wider benefits to the public
health system, leading to better access for middle income class population groups and
development of new models of service delivery which will help to finance the health system.
According to the status report of health care financing synthesis report in 2005 EC, Ethiopia
has about 45 hospitals which have established private wings and out of these seven
hospitals are in Addis; among these hospitals in Addis, four are administered by Addis
Ababa city Administration. The study was conducted with the objective of investigating
Private wing Practices and Challenges of Hospitals in Addis Ababa and to identify the main
challenging factors. In order to achieve this objective, primary data were collected from four
selected hospitals administered in Addis Ababa City Administration. Sixty patients, sixty
health professionals, four Chief Executive Officers (CEO's) through questionnaires, key
informant interview (KII) with concerned bodies and Patient Exit Interviews were used to
gather relevant information directly from service users. Secondary data were collected from
HSFR (Health Sector Financing Reform) guidelines, TAG (Technical Advisory Group)
reports, and PW (Private Wing) performance reports. Results of the study indicate that
conflict of interest, Existence of Contextual differences in the operation of private wing,
Unfair revenue sharing and unequal service provision, Gaps in legal frame work, Demand
for specialized and selective services, Unregulated fee levels for private wing services,
Absence of systematized regulatory mechanisms are important and challenging factors that
influence the private wing system.
Finally, to enhance the existing functioning system of private wings, this study made
recommendations Federal Ministry of Health and Hospital's management to deliberate
considering the resources available for the sustainability and success of private wings.
Key words: Private wing, challenge, practice, prospect, health professionals and patients
Description
Keywords
Private wing, Challenge, practice, prospect, Health professionals and patients