Original Research

An evaluation of funding challenges in the Malawian public healthcare delivery sector

Rabiya Hanif, Wedzerai S. Musvoto
Africa’s Public Service Delivery & Performance Review | Vol 11, No 1 | a654 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/apsdpr.v11i1.654 | © 2023 Rabiya Hanif, Wedzerai S. Musvoto | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 07 May 2022 | Published: 31 March 2023

About the author(s)

Rabiya Hanif, School of Business and Economic Sciences, Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
Wedzerai S. Musvoto, NWU School of Business, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa

Abstract

Background: Reliable and adequate healthcare funding is crucial in public healthcare service delivery. However, district hospitals in Malawi, face funding challenges as evidenced by poor service delivery.

Aim: This study aimed at investigating funding challenges experienced by public district hospitals of Malawi in the provision of healthcare services and proposing strategies for improved funding.

Setting: The research presented in this article evaluates funding challenges in the public healthcare sector in Malawi, a developing country.

Method: An exploratory sequential mixed method design was used. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 10 purposively selected individuals and were analysed thematically. Quantitative data were collected using questionnaires from 328 respondents. Quantitative data underwent factor and univariate analysis.

Results: The study revealed that government funding is received late and is inadequate; donor funding was declining and earmarked for specific health activities; while income generation capacity of hospitals and Councils is weak. The study suggests that hospitals should introduce fees for service, government should be lobbied for increased funding allocations, and revenue–generating capacity of hospitals and Councils should be enhanced.

Conclusion: The study concludes that there is an urgent need for government to prioritise the healthcare delivery sector and increase its funding. Hospitals and Councils should be innovative in order to generate additional funding for operations and the revenue generation capacity of hospitals and Councils should thus, be enhanced.

Contribution: The study adds to the healthcare funding debate in developing countries by providing a context–specific analysis of healthcare funding challenges and suggesting improvement strategies.


Keywords

healthcare services; health funding; funding challenges; Councils; district hospitals; donor funding

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Crossref Citations

1. Exploring the Funding Challenges Faced by Small NGOs: Perspectives from an Organization with Practical Experience of Working in Rural Malawi
Faiz Kermani, Sbita Tia Anna Reandi
Research and Reports in Tropical Medicine  vol: Volume 14  first page: 99  year: 2023  
doi: 10.2147/RRTM.S424075