IMPACT OF COST SHARING ON THE DELIVERY OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES IN TANZANIA

Abstract

This study focused in investigating the impact of cost-sharing on the delivery of health care services to vulnerable populations seeking and receiving health care services at Mount Meru hospital. So far Tanzanian society, the community of Arusha not being exceptional consist of people of varying economic status; therefore, cost sharing might influence differently the utilization of health services by different classes. The study objectives were to study implementation of cost sharing policy at Mount Meru Hospital in general giving special attention to the vulnerable population seeking and receiving health care services at Mount Meru Hospital, to determine the impact of cost sharing policy at Mount Meru Hospital and to identify opinion of health care workers, patients and clients towards cost sharing policy comparing to the previous policy of free health care service. The study adopted a case study design by using questionnaires and interviews for primary data collection while secondary data were obtained from reviewed related documents. The study involved 66 participants working and getting service in different departments of Mt Meru Hospital. The research approach for this study were qualitative and quantitative data. The MS Excel spreadsheet programme was used in analysing data collected from questionnaires, qualitative data were collected from in-depth interviews with staff and patients, where narrations and quotes were taken directly from respondents. The study showed that Mount Meru hospital management has adopted cost sharing policy and uses national guidelines to implement the policy. The hospital management has put in place defined procedures to be followed by patients attending Mount Meru. Most of the patients are aware of the policy and have experienced procedures that are involved with payment of the charges. There is an improvement of overall quality of health service however there still some challenges that needs to be addressed. The study recommends to the government and hospital management to improve health services delivery to be able to achieve desired objectives which includes the review and amendment of health policy.