Table 3 Summary comments of other challenges facing the hospitals
Operational challenge | Description |
|---|---|
High workload | - One of the major concerns was that the increased utilisation has put so much pressure on the limited medical staff in the facilities. There is large health worker-patient ratio and this affects the provision of responsive care. |
- Inadequate numbers of health staff was mentioned as a key cause of long waiting hours. | |
- The absence of people with professional knowledge of claims processing and management. | |
Logistics/equipment | - Lack of ambulance for referrals especially on emergency cases. |
- Lack of sophisticated surgical equipments to reduce referrals of cases to the regional hospitals. | |
- Inadequate medical equipments. | |
- The absence of operating theatres in the facilities to cope with new and emerging diseases. | |
Medication | - Many of the complaints related to the fact that the Essential Drug List (EDL) does not adequately cover a wide range of drugs. It is therefore difficult for patients to comprehend why they are not entitled to unlimited drugs under the scheme. |
Networking | - Networking is a problem. As a result, some patients present expired ID cards with valid dates on them for treatment. |
- The absence of effective networking system makes activities of hospitals more difficult. | |
- Because the system is not properly networked, there were instances when unregistered members scan their passport size pictures on ID cards of active members in order to receive medical care. |