Assessment of Healthcare Institutions and Socio-Economic Welfare: A Survey of Secondary and Tertiary Hospitals in Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to access healthcare institutions and the welfare experience of patients and workers in public Secondary and Tertiary Hospitals in Rivers State, with ownership across Federal Government, State Government and the Military. From a stratified sampling technique, a representative survey sample of 90 respondents was involved. Our findings shows that Tertiary hospitals in Rivers state relies on funding by Federal Government, State Government, internally generated funds and grants, in their decending order. Budgetary cut on health institution is perceived to reduce service delivery and health workers motivation, though a cut in funding is expected by few, as a result of the prevalent fall in global oil price. The analysis also shows that the price of health services and medicines have increased in recent times, but we could not establish the symptom of inflation on the prices of healthcare consumption. It was established that the level of qualified health workers without gainful employment has slightly increased, owing to low absorptive capacity of government owned hospital, low renumeration from non-public-owned hospitals. The study found that the populace prefers public hospitals over private hospitals, mainly because of affordability and availability of specialists. Although there is evidence of inadequate workforce, bureaucratic holdup and poor ambience. The study concludes that the government is the provider of very affordable and quality healthcare in Nigeria. It was therefore recommended that there should be proper accountability by the hospital management on the proceeds and expenses. Efforts should be made to strenghten internally generated revenue, while a public-private partnership, improved efficiency and quality of service delivery will attract funds.