Efficiency of Health System Units in Africa

Efficiency of Health System Units in Africa
Author: Kirigia, Joses Muthuri
Publisher: University of Nairobi Press
Total Pages: 548
Release: 2015-03-16
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 9966792155

Despite sending huge sums of money on health every year the African region's burden of disease is persistently high. Most of the countries in the region are lagging behind in achieving the health-related United Nations Millennium Development Goals. The African region's dismal health situation has largely been blamed on weakness pertaining to such factors as health leadership and governance; service delivery; health workforce; medicines, vaccines, and health technologies; health information; and health system financing that have undermined the capacity of health systems of countries in the region to improve population health without wastage of resources. Institutionalising health system efficiency monitoring, as a basis for the design and implementation of appropriate policy interventions, has been proposed as an effective way of curbing wastage of health system inputs. Efficiency of Health System Units in Africa: A Data Envelopment Analysis is the first book of its kind on application of the data envelopment analysis technique to examine the efficiency of health system decision-making units in Africa. The book interlaces lecture notes with research articles and case studies to equip students and practitioners of economics, operations research, management science, and public health with knowledge and skills for undertaking technical efficiency, cost efficiency, and total factor productivity analyses.

Historical Perspectives on the State of Health and Health Systems in Africa, Volume II

Historical Perspectives on the State of Health and Health Systems in Africa, Volume II
Author: Mario J. Azevedo
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 305
Release: 2017-01-24
Genre: History
ISBN: 3319325647

This book focuses on Africa’s challenges, achievements, and failures over the past several centuries using an interdisciplinary approach that combines theory and fact and evidence-based practices and interventions in public health, and argues that most of the health problems in Africa are not a result of scarce or lack of resources, but of the misconceived and misplaced priorities that have left the continent behind every other on the globe in terms of health, education, and equitable distribution of opportunities and access to (quality) health as agreed by the United Nations member states at Alma-Ata in 1978.

Health System Efficiency

Health System Efficiency
Author: Jonathan Cylus
Publisher: Health Policy
Total Pages: 264
Release: 2016-12-15
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 9789289050418

In this book the authors explore the state of the art on efficiency measurement in health systems and international experts offer insights into the pitfalls and potential associated with various measurement techniques. The authors show that: - The core idea of efficiency is easy to understand in principle - maximizing valued outputs relative to inputs, but is often difficult to make operational in real-life situations - There have been numerous advances in data collection and availability, as well as innovative methodological approaches that give valuable insights into how efficiently health care is delivered - Our simple analytical framework can facilitate the development and interpretation of efficiency indicators.

Waste Not, Want Not

Waste Not, Want Not
Author: Francesco Grigoli
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 26
Release: 2013-08-28
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1484364481

Public health spending is low in emerging and developing economies relative to advanced economies and health outputs and outcomes need to be substantially improved. Simply increasing public expenditure in the health sector, however, may not significantly affect health outcomes if the efficiency of this spending is low. This paper quantifies the inefficiency of public health expenditure and the associated potential gains for emerging and developing economies using a stochastic frontier model that controls for the socioeconomic determinants of health, and provides country-specific estimates. The results suggest that African economies have the lowest efficiency. At current spending levels, they could boost life expectancy up to about five years if they followed best practices.

Africa Case Studies in Operations Research

Africa Case Studies in Operations Research
Author: Hatem Masri
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 214
Release: 2022-11-09
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 3031170083

This book presents contributions to the 50th Annual Conference of the Operations Research Society of South Africa (ORSSA), which was jointly hosted with the African Federation of Operations Research Societies (AFROS) at North-West University in Potchefstroom, South Africa from 12 to 15 September, 2021. Focusing on innovative case studies and recent applications of Operations Research models and algorithms in African countries, each chapter highlights findings emerging from the countries in question and explains the lessons learned. As such, the book offers an up-to-date overview of Operations Research practices and developments in Africa. AFROS is a “not for profit” organization that aims to promote Operations Research in Africa. Its affairs are regulated by an Executive Committee consisting of representatives/alternates of all its member societies. The members of the Federation undertake to co-operate in the advancement of knowledge, interest and education in Operations Research by appropriate means, particularly the exchange of information, the holding of meetings and conferences, and the awarding of prizes.

Sustainable Health Care Financing in Southern Africa

Sustainable Health Care Financing in Southern Africa
Author: Allison Beattie
Publisher: World Bank Publications
Total Pages: 200
Release: 1998
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 9780821341452

World Bank Discussion Paper No. 385. Since the advent of reform in 1992, the Russian authorities have made substantial strides toward creating a market economy through privatization. Recently, Russian authorities have established an institutional framework for a case-by-case approach that ensures transparency and competition through the use of independent financial and other advisers. This paper contains the principal presentations made at a World Bank workshop on the lessons of international experience in case-by-case privatization.

Functional Performance in Older Adults

Functional Performance in Older Adults
Author: Bette R Bonder
Publisher: F.A. Davis
Total Pages: 601
Release: 2017-12-04
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0803658834

Support the very best health, well-being, and quality of life for older adults! Here’s the ideal resource for rehabilitation professionals who are working with or preparing to work with older adults! You’ll find descriptions of the normal aging process, discussions of how health and social factors can impede your clients’ ability to participate in regular activities, and step-by-step guidance on how to develop strategies for maximizing their well-being.

Disease Control Priorities in Developing Countries

Disease Control Priorities in Developing Countries
Author: Dean T. Jamison
Publisher: World Bank Publications
Total Pages: 1449
Release: 2006-04-02
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0821361805

Based on careful analysis of burden of disease and the costs ofinterventions, this second edition of 'Disease Control Priorities in Developing Countries, 2nd edition' highlights achievable priorities; measures progresstoward providing efficient, equitable care; promotes cost-effectiveinterventions to targeted populations; and encourages integrated effortsto optimize health. Nearly 500 experts - scientists, epidemiologists, health economists,academicians, and public health practitioners - from around the worldcontributed to the data sources and methodologies, and identifiedchallenges and priorities, resulting in this integrated, comprehensivereference volume on the state of health in developing countries.

Early Detection and Intervention in Audiology

Early Detection and Intervention in Audiology
Author: Katijah Khoza-Shangase
Publisher: NYU Press
Total Pages: 193
Release: 2021-02-01
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 1776146581

A textbook with case studies for audiologists and speech pathologists to make recommendations for early detection and intervention of hearing impairments in the South African context Early hearing detection and intervention (EHDI) is the gold standard for any practicing audiologist, and for families of infants and children with hearing impairment. EHDI programs aim to identify, diagnose and provide intervention to children with hearing impairment from as early as six months old (as well as those at risk for hearing impairment) to ensure they develop and achieve to their potential. Yet EHDI remains a significant challenge for Africa, and various initiatives are in place to address this gap in transferring policy into practice within the southern African context. The diversity of factors in the southern African context presents unique challenges to teaching and research in this field, which has prompted this book project. The South African government’s heightened focus on increasing access to health care which includes ongoing Early Childhood Development (ECD) programs, make this an opportune time for establishing and documenting evidence-based research for current undergraduate and postgraduate students. Early Detection and Intervention in Audiology: An African Perspective aims to address this opportunity. Grounded in an African context with detailed case studies, this book provides rich content that pays careful attention to contextual relevance and contextual responsiveness to both identification and intervention in hearing impairment. With diverse contributions from experts in local and international contexts, but always with an African perspective, this is textbook will be an invaluable resource for students, researchers and practitioners.

High Performance in Hospital Management

High Performance in Hospital Management
Author: Edda Weimann
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 234
Release: 2017-05-10
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 3662496607

This book provides a broad overview of what is needed to run hospitals and other health care facilities effectively and efficiently. All of the skills and tools required to achieve this aim are elucidated in the book, including business engineering and change management, strategic planning and the Balanced Scorecard, project management, integrative innovation management, social and ethical aspects of human resource management, communication and conflict management, staff development and leadership. The guidance offered is exceptional and applicable in both developed and developing countries. Furthermore, the relevant theoretical background is outlined and instructive case reports are included. Each chapter finishes with a summary and five reflective questions. Excellence can only be achieved when health care professionals show in addition to their medical skills a high level of managerial competence. High performance in Hospital Management assists managers of health care providers as well as doctors and nurses to engage in the successful management of a health care facility.