Evaluation of digital health solutions initiatives for improving financial resources management in public health facilities in Rukwa Region
Date
2025
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Mzumbe University
Abstract
Introduction: Financial management in public organisations remains an ongoing challenge despite applications of new digital devices with the main objective of improving transparency, efficiency, and accountability. These challenges remain due to a lack of institutional commitment, ineffective law enforcement, and insufficient policy execution. The government of Tanzania has implemented digital platforms such as the Planning and Reporting System (PlanRep), the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) Online Service Portal, and the Government e-Payment Gateway (GePG) to improve planning, budgeting, and financial management. Nevertheless, their implementation and virtue are uneven between health facilities.
Methods: This study assessed the factors facilitating the implementation and utilisation of these systems in 158 public health facilities across Kalambo, Sumbawanga, and Nkasi districts in Rukwa region. The quantitative data was analysed using (STATA version 15), bivariable and multivariable logistic regression.
Results: Significant associations were found between PlanRep use and internet reliability (OR = 8.66, p < 0.001), router availability (OR = 9.76, p < 0.001), staff capacity (OR = 28.15, p < 0.001), PlanRep account ownership (OR = 14.12, p < 0.001), staff motivation (OR = 23.30, p < 0.001), and community involvement (OR = 5.53, p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed seven predictors: staff motivation, PlanRep account ownership, router availability, internet dependability, staff capacity, computer availability, and facility type, with staff motivation (AOR = 106.14, p = 0.001) being the most significant.
Conclusion: Public financial resource management benefited from the introduction of digital health technologies. Health facilities. Health facilities may consider strong efforts on sustainability of provision of PlanRep system user accounts, availability of facility reliable internet, availability of computers, and availability of routers for internet connectivity, continuous staff capacity building on using digital health solutions and motivations to staffs such as incentives, recognitions, technical and leadership support.
Description
A dissertation Submitted to the School of Public Administration and Management for the partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of Master of Science in Health Monitoring and Evaluation (MSc. HME) of Mzumbe University
Keywords
Digital health solutions, Planning and Reporting System, Digital health implementation, Digital health
Citation
APA