Structural Assessment of Primary Healthcare Facilities in Five regions of Ethiopia

Ethiopia suffers from high incidence of infectious diseases and nutritional deficiencies. There is also very low access to quality health care services. The government has prioritized quality of health services in its fourth Health Sector Development Program (HSDP). Baseline data is needed to evaluate the status of health services at the different referral levels and their capability to implement priorities as outlined by the HSDP.

The USAID-funded Ethiopia Assistance to Health Systems Expansion (AHSE) project conducted a facility-based, descriptive, cross-sectional survey employing a quantitative data collection method between April and July, 2011. The study assessed the overall situation of hospitals and Health Centers (HCs) found in four populous regions and one city administration of Ethiopia. Structured checklists were prepared based on national standards set by the Food, Medicines and Healthcare Administration and Control Authority (FMHACA). A total of 131 HCs and 24 hospitals were selected for the study.

The present survey documented positive performance of the health facilities especially in the types of services provided. However, structural deficiencies were observed including human resources for health, backup generators, adequacy of financial supplies, access to patients with disability and presence of important guidelines. Although the magnitude is different, these deficiencies were shared by both the studied HCs and hospitals.

An orchestrated effort should be made by the health offices both at regional and national level and partners to improve their premises, documentation practices and quality of services provided. Furthermore, structural deficiencies should be addressed starting with areas where swift changes are possible.