The Impact of Internally Generated Funds on Quality Healthcare Delivery in Ghana. A Case Study of Pantang Hospital

Abstract

Quality Healthcare is one of the paramount goals of every government all over the world. As a result, all governments throughout the world (both past and present) have strived to formulate and implement several healthcare policies that seek to ensure quality healthcare delivery to their populist. Pantang hospital is a government health facilities situated in Pantang and it seeks to provide affordable high quality and client friendly mental and general health services. In order for the hospital to deliver on its mandate there should be adequate funds which is sourced from various angles including funds generated internally. However, the major challenges faced by state institutions is funding of which Pantang hospital is not an exception. The study employed mostly qualitative and a bit of quantitative approach, the population comprised all heads of the various units in the Pantang hospital with much focus on the finance section as well as the clients. The sample was purposively chosen and the sample selected comprised 23 staff of Pantang hospital and 500 clients (patients). Interviews and questionnaires were used as data collection instruments. The data was analyzed using correlation and a multiple regression model to measure the relationship and the impact between internally generated funds and quality healthcare delivery in Pantang hospital. The study concluded that the main sources of funds for Pantang hospital are donations, support from NGOs, government support (i.e. Goods & Service and Compensation) and IGF. Pantang hospital has been doing well in mobilizing funds internally to support it operations. However, they depend heavily on IGF which is the second highest source of fund for its operational activities. IGF can impact quality healthcare delivery in Pantang hospital up to (0.488 or 48.8%) and quality healthcare delivery in Pantang hospital cannot be explained or determined by the amount of money available only at a point in time but other factors. The two major financial challenges are ( unavailable government support and delayed claim payment) which is preventing Pantang hospital from delivering quality healthcare. Whiles delay in receiving treatment and bad attitude of some health workers forms the greatest challenge.