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From: Berhane Habtemariam (Berhane.Habtemariam@gmx.de)
Date: Fri Nov 19 2010 - 12:32:38 EST
<http://www.shabait.com/articles/q-a-a/3716-better-coordination-for-better-s
ervices-> Better Coordination For Better Services
Friday, 19 November 2010 10:50 | Written by Samrawit Efrem |
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http://www.shabait.com/images/stories/Pictures/drs-qa.jpgThe Ministry of
Health is striving to provide quality health service wherever and whenever a
citizen may be in need. At this important stage of national development in
which huge investment is being made to further expand and deliver
standardized services, it is imperative to review the efficiency of health
institutions operating in various parts of the country. In this regard, the
Ministry of Health has introduced a new working mechanism for private
clinics to render quality services in view of the fact that some of such
clinics require restructuring and reorganization. All the privately owned
health sectors have been found to be providing inadequate services without
any remarkable enhancement and as such, the Ministry was compelled to take
remedial measures so as to rectify existing problems. Shabait conducted a
brief interview with Dr. Tesfai Solomon, head of regulation services, and
Mr. Berhane Gebretinsae, Director General of health services at the Ministry
of Health. Excerpts follow:
Q: Let us start with the present condition of private clinics in the
country?
Dr. Tesfai: Any professional who meets the criteria stated in the Health
Ministry's proclamation 74/95 regarding private clinics was legally
permitted to open a private clinic. Accordingly, 53 private health centers
are operating in the whole country, 70% of which are located within the
capital city, Asmara. Save for five polyclinics, all of these private
clinics have only one doctor.
Mr. Berhane: The purpose of opening of private clinics was to supplement the
services provided by Government health institutions. Some of the criteria in
the aforementioned proclamation stated that any health professional was
allowed to open and work in private sectors in his/her free time and a
physician is only permitted to work in one private clinic. These
stipulations are included so that physicians work in private sectors only in
their spare time. Nevertheless, these rules were gradually all violated. To
make matters worse, the quality of services rendered by these clinics
continued to decline. As consequence, the beneficiaries became victims of
such a scenario. Thus, the Ministry of Health was compelled to take remedial
measures so as to better coordinate and reorganize private clinics in the
country.
Q: Explain to us the general capacity of these private clinics?
Dr. Tesfai: From the beginning, the standard required to open a private
clinic was minimal with the idea that they would eventually progress in due
time. Today however, the reality on the ground is contrary to the initial
belief. The clinics lack enough wards, basic laboratory and other equipments
and patients were compelled to go to government hospitals for simple tests.
Moreover, though visitation fees are officially regulated, patients were
charged extra fee for medical examinations and drug prescriptions.
Gradually, such clinics became more money-oriented instead of serving the
public as their mission required. Hence, the negative consequences of such
haphazard services on the public health as well as the general health sector
in the country grew too pronounced to be ignored and thus had to be dealt
with.
Q: So what measures have been taken by the Ministry of Health?
Dr. Tesfay: Realizing the need for restructuring the work mechanism of these
clinics, the Ministry stopped issuing new licenses five years ago. Then, all
private clinics were informed to make the necessary preparations since a new
restructuring would be carried out in August 2010.
Mr. Berhane: The fundamental healthcare services are provided by Government
health institutions. Even in countries cited as exemplary for their
efficiency of health services, the basic care is provided by state owned
institutions. There are distinct differences in the responsibilities and
obligations of government-owned and private health institutions. Therefore,
it is time to introduce a better work procedure for the advancement of the
healthcare system considering the experience gained over the past years.
Q: How would be these privately owed health centers reorganized?
Mr. Berhane: Private services would be opened within the government health
institutions from 5pm onwards. The plan is to implement government
investment in comprehensive way where physicians could use the modern
equipments available there and patients can obtain efficient service. This
would create conducive grounds for the utilization of Government's
investments for the benefit of the public. In addition, the Ministry can
easily regulate the services delivered by these private health sectors. All
the necessary preparations have been finalized to this end and some of them
have already commenced.
Q: What work opportunities would there be for employees previously working
in private clinics?
Mr. Berhane: Most of them as I have mentioned earlier are government workers
and have made investments in their own ventures. Committees were formed to
study how to use the equipments there and to address complaints. Vacancy
announcement was published in newspapers to provide work opportunities for
those qualified and interested to work in such institutions. There is no
doubt that the remedial measures undertaken would bring about tangible
changes in the quality of services.
Q: Tell us how the issue of fees would be handled in such a new work
mechanism?
Dr. Tesfai: The undertaken research was instrumental in identifying the
problems and ways of resolving it. It shed light on the fact that medical
examinations were carried out far beyond necessary and lab examinations as
well as x-rays were charged extra money. Prices would be reviewed and fixed
in a way that motivates skilled professionals and is at the same time fair
to customers.
Thank you!
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