Financial management practices and healthcare delivery: evidence from Oda government hospital

Abstract

The study aims to assess the financial management practices of Ghana Health Service. The specific objectives were to evaluate the effect of budgeting on healthcare delivery, to identify the effect of financial accountability on healthcare delivery and also determine the effect of financial controls on healthcare delivery. The study adopted the survey design. A sample size of 69 out of the population of 223 staff in Akim Oda Government Hospital was used. The instrument used for data collection was a self-administered questionnaire. The statistical technique used to analyse the objective was regression technique. The study found that budgets are consistent with the dictates of the accounting and financial management principles in Oda Government Hospital. The study also observed that financial accountability is fairly high in the Oda Government Hospital. The study indicated that overall, financial control is high in the financial management practice of the hospital. It is however recommended that the management of the Oda Government Hospital draws up a plan to monitor the work progress and performance of all staff of the hospital and reduce the period for evaluation to half of the present period. The Hospital management should draw up a plan to review their financial management practices from time to time to meet international standards and also, management of the Oda Government Hospital should work to maintain and improve their financial control in order to meet the strength of the budgetary practices and financial accountability.