Functionality of the Health Unit Management Committees Strategy in Health Service Delivery:

Abstract

Introduction This study was to assess the functionality of Health Unit management committees in Manafwa District.

The main objective of the study was to assess the functionality of health unit management committee’s strategy on health service delivery in Manafwa District. The specific objectives of the study were; to establish the reporting procedures of health unit management committees in health service delivery; to assess the level of planning of health unit management committees in activities at health facilities, to determine the extent of advisory services offered by health unit management committees in fostering improved health services delivery and to ascertain the level of monitoring and evaluation of health activities by health unit management committees at health facilities in the district.

Methodology The methodology used was a cross sectional survey with HUMCs (Health Unit Management Committees) from 18 health centers in Manafwa District. A sample of 126 HUMCs was used. The target population was 161 functional HUMCs in Manafwa district. Data was collected using questionnaires for HUMCs, Key informant interviews and document review. Both qualitative and quantitative data was collected. Quantitative and Qualitative data was analyzed and presented using tables, frequencies and bar graphs.

Results HUMCs report annually by using written reports. During planning the HUMCs do not carry out needs assessment, they do not receive and approve work plans and irregularly follow up implementation of planned activities. The advisory services given are mainly strengthening working relationships through face-to-face discussions that has led to improvement in the quality of health services delivered and improved the relationship between community and health workers. The HUMCs do not make monitoring and evaluation plans and do not carry out evaluation of planned activities and neither give feedback of monitoring and evaluation reports to the community and health workers.

Conclusions and Recommendations The following conclusions are made of this study; Health Unit management committees need to be streamlined by the Ministry of Health towards community health needs amidst the challenges that health unit management committee strategy faces in Manafwa District. Arising from this study the following recommendations are made; there is need for the District authorities to capacity build health unit management committees on their functions as mandated by the health Center management guidelines, strengthening the health unit facilities so that feedback mechanisms from the health unit and community are shared. The District and Sub county leadership have to supervise the health units to make sure HUMCs approval work plans and budgets, and also participate in the monitoring of implemented activities.