Standardization and strengthening the functionality of hospital management boards in central hospitals of Zimbabwe.

Abstract

Health governance system in Zimbabwe is undergoing nationwide structural reforms. This is done through the appointment of health centre committees for rural health facilities, advisory boards for district and provincial hospitals as well as hospital management boards for central hospitals. The study was aimed at exploring standardization and strengthening performance of hospital management boards in central hospitals of Zimbabwe. The central hospitals included in the study are Harare Central Hospital, Chitungwiza Central Hospital and Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in the northern region of the country. In the southern region, they were United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH), Mpilo and Ingutsheni Central Hospitals. Questionnaires and interviews were used to collect quantitative and qualitative data respectively in the six central hospitals in Zimbabwe. The target population of the study was 66 board members and a census sampling was used whereby all were included in the study. However, 35 out of 54 (64.81%) responded to the questionnaire while 10 out of 12 (83.33%) targeted study participants were interviewed. Quantitative data was analysed using the SPSS Version 25 whereas qualitative data was transcribed, loaded and analysed through the use of NVivo Version 12 software application. The study results revealed that 67% of hospitals had functional hospital management boards with a quorum and active term of office. There was no clear policy or guidelines to evaluate the performance of hospital management boards. Gaps revealed call for policy strengthening of the appointment and performance of HMBs in Zimbabwe.