ASSESMENT OF PRIVATE WING PRACTICE IN ALL AFRICAN LEPROSY REHABILITATION CENTER

Abstract

Private wings have been implemented on a small scale within Ethiopian public hospitals. These ‘differentiated amenities’ involve the provision of better services to patients who, under a fee-for-service reimbursement mechanisms, pay out-of-pocket or through medical insurance. The public sector objectives for these wings include retention of highly qualified health personnel, additional revenue generation as well as wider benefits to the public health system, leading to better access for middle income class population groups and development of new models of service delivery which will help to finance the health system.According to the status report of health care financing synthesis report in 2005 EC, Ethiopia has about 45 hospitals which have established private wings and out of these seven hospitals are in Addis; among these hospitals in Addis, four are administered by Addis Ababa city Administration. The study was conducted with the objective of investigating Private wing Practices and Challenges of ALERT Hospital and to identify the main challenging factors. In order to achieve this objective, primary data were collected from The Hospital CEO, one hundred fifty patients and ninety health professionals. Secondary data were collected from HSFR (Health Sector Financing Reform) guidelines, TAG (Technical Advisory Group) reports, and PW (Private Wing) performance reports. Results of the study indicate that conflict of interest, Existence of Contextual differences in the operation of private wing, Unfair revenue sharing and unequal service provision, Gaps in legal frame work, Demand for specialized and selective services, Unregulated fee levels for private wing services, Absence of systematized regulatory mechanisms is important and challenging factors that influence the private wing system.Finally, to enhance the existing functioning system of private wings, this study made recommendations Federal Ministry of Health and Hospital's management to deliberate considering the resources available for the sustainability and success of private wings.