Abstract:
The primary aim of the proposed study is to investigate the technical problems affecting the efficiency and effectiveness of District Hospitals in the Free State Province. The proposed research therefore stands to contribute to the existing body of evidence on the efficiency and effectiveness of health care services, with regard to the existing problems in the health sector such as high staff turnover, facilities with lack of appropriate equipment, unmanageable workload, lack of appropriate infrastructure, a high absenteeism rate and low morale of the employees in the public health institutions. Therefore the study will identify potential shortcomings that are compromising the efficiency and effectiveness of the district hospitals. The findings of the study will be used to address some of the identified problems and also to describe how progress can be measured. The outcomes of this study are intended to raise important issues and to assist management of the Free State Department of Health to address the challenges that are affecting the functioning of the district hospitals. The findings will also assist the relevant managers in planning and implementation of policies that will address inequalities and problems as highlighted in the study. It will also create opportunities for shared responsibilities that management and the staff need to resolve jointly.
