Standardization and strengthening the functionality of hospital management boards in central hospitals: Evidence of a developing economy

Abstract

Zimbabwe’s public hospitals have been criticised for the declining standard of health service delivery for the past three decades with fingers pointed towards the hospital governance system. In response to the criticism, the government of Zimbabwe, through the Ministry of Health, has begun the process of making structural changes to the entire hospital governance system (Moyo, 2016; Sikipa, Osifo-Dawodu, Kokwaro, & Rice, 2019). The aim of the study is to examine the processes of appointing hospital management board (HMB) members in central hospitals of Zimbabwe. The study sought to explore the standardization, strengthening, and performance of HMBs in central hospitals of Zimbabwe with a focus on six central hospitals which include Harare, Chitungwiza, Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH), Mpilo, and Ingutsheni. The study employed a mixed-method design using the questionnaire and interviews to collect data. The target population included 66 board members. The census approach was used meaning that all members of the population formed the sample size. The study revealed that 67% of hospitals had functional HMBs with a quorum despite lacking a clear policy to evaluate their performance. The gaps identified required policy review to strengthen the appointment and performance of HMBs