Transforming health: Introduction of new management structure at secondary healthcare of Pakistan

• Published in: European journal of public health 2020-09, Vol.30 (Supplement_5)
• Main Authors: Chaudary, N A, Navid Tahir, MN, Mubin, G
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Administrators; Building management; Company structure; Health care; Health care delivery; Health care policy; Health policy; Health services; Hospitals; Intervention; Management systems; Patients; Public awareness; Public health; Skills; Teams
• ISSN: 1101-1262; 1464-360X
• DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckaa166.649

Abstract While public awareness on health issues is increasing, it has become more significant for the public funded health sector to retain the trust of its patients. It is specifically important in a country like Pakistan where the burden of patients in terms of number is compounded by recurring diseases outbreaks. Recent evidence shows that well-thought management systems can ease the pressure on provision of health services to a larger extent than previously anticipated. To address the managerial challenges of secondary care hospitals, health policy planners of the Punjab (Pakistan) had introduced a New Management Structures (NMS) 'team of non-clinical management graduates' under the Revamping Program of District & Tehsil Headquarter D/THQ hospitals in 2016. After 3 years of execution, a study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of this initiative. 24 in-depth interviews were conducted with the relevant stakeholders and 10 FGDs were conducted with the NMS teams. Thematic analysis & field observations were used to facilitate the presentation of results. The findings show that NMS teams have ensured greater efficiency in management operations of hospitals. Most of the research participants were appreciated for their skills and dedication to work. The hospital and district Health administrators were satisfied with the concept and need of NMS in healthcare system. They claimed that the need for NMS was justified and the intervention has significantly contributed to address the shortcomings inherent in the old management system. However, few stakeholders highlighted the need for further capacity building and robust service structure of NMS teams. The NMS initiative across all secondary hospitals of Punjab has improved the overall quality of healthcare service delivery in D/THQ Hospitals. It can be safely concluded that a specialized workforce in form of NMS is vital in ensuring smooth transition and up-gradation of hospitals under the revamping project Key messages Healthcare delivery is moving towards more specialized skills in terms of both healthcare services and management. NMS is vital in ensuring smooth transition and up-gradation of D/THQ hospitals.