Devolved Healthcare Financing and Delivery of Health Services among Public Health Facilities in Western Counties, Kenya

Abstract

Purpose: The general objective of the study was to determine the effect of devolved healthcare financing on delivery of health services among public health facilities in Western Counties.

Methodology: This study adopted a descriptive research design. The target population comprised of all the 72 public health facilities in Western Counties. The study unit of observation was the head of departments in these public facilities. A questionnaire was used for collecting primary data from the respondents. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were conducted.

Findings: The regression results revealed that source of funds had a significant positive influence on delivery of health services (β=0.188, p=0.000). The study also revealed that adequate fund allocation has a positive and significant influence on delivery of health services (β=0.566, p=0.000). Finally, the results of regression analysis revealed that equitability positively influences delivery of health services among public health facilities in Western Counties (β=1.117, p=0.000).

Implications: The study concludes that source of funds positively and significantly affects delivery of health services; adequate funds allocation has a positive and significant relation with delivery of health services and equitability positively and significantly delivery of health services of public health facilities in Western Counties. The study further concludes that devolved healthcare financing has a significant positive influence on delivery of health services of public health facilities in Western Counties.

Value and recommendation: The study recommends that the management of public health facilities in Western Counties should enhance their income generating activities so that it contributes significantly to their health service delivery. The study also recommends the need for policy makers among the public health facilities to come up with measures to ensure that the health care workers are well compensated and that the departments are well staffed. Finally, the study recommends the need for policy makers to ensure equitability in allocation of funds to the health facilities.

Keywords: Health Care Financing, Delivery of Health Services, Public Health Facilities